Gervais Dairy Products

Gervais is a historic name in the European dairy industry, famously known for popularizing fresh cheeses. Founded in 1852 by Charles Gervais in Normandy, France, as Fromagerie Ch. Gervais, the brand gained international fame in the 1870s for its 'Petit-suisse' and 'Carrés Gervais' fresh cheese products. In 1967, the company merged with the Spanish yogurt manufacturer Danone to form the Gervais Danone Group, which eventually became the global food giant known today simply as Danone.

Following a strategic shift by Danone, the rights to the Gervais brand for the German and Austrian markets were acquired by the German dairy company Hochland SE in 2012. Today, Hochland continues to produce and market a variety of dairy products under the Gervais label, specifically focusing on cottage cheese, herb quarks, and fresh cheese spreads. While the brand has its roots in French culinary tradition, its modern commercial operations and manufacturing for its primary markets are centered in Germany, particularly at Hochland's facilities in Bavaria.

In France and other regions, the brand name still appears as part of Danone's historical identity (Gervais Danone), though much of the stand-alone 'Gervais' product line in Central Europe is now managed by Hochland. Additionally, the 'Gervais' name is sometimes associated with other distinct businesses, such as the Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc dermatological brand, which was recently sold by L'Oréal to the Cospal group.