Sample the oysters from Arcachon's famous oyster huts

By the 4th century, oysters from the Bay of Arcachon were already highly prized by the Romans. Little eaten throughout the Middle Ages, they began to attract the attention of gourmets in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Originally, the Bay of Arcachon was populated by flat oysters, or gavettes (ostrea-edulis). But in 1868, a Breton ship loaded with Portuguese hollow oysters was surprised by a storm and took shelter in the Basin. Stranded for several days, the crew found, to their great detriment, that the oysters were all spoiled, or would be by the time they reached port, and threw them overboard. However, a few die-hards who didn't give up appreciated the place and shared it with the gravel for many years. Eventually, with a higher yield than flat oysters, Portuguese hollow oysters came to be favoured by oyster farmers. This is the oyster we know and love so much today.

During a short break in Arcachon, you can't pass by the oyster huts without sampling the local specialities, such as fish and oysters. It's a veritable feast that you must partake in when you visit the seaside. And speaking of tasting, there's nothing like discovering the many flavours of Arcachon Basin oysters in the shack of an experienced oyster farmer. He'll be delighted to tell you all about his trade and the fruits of his labour over a table accompanied by lemon, bread, butter and white wine.

👛 Tasting at the hut: 6 small oysters at 7.50 euros and medium-sized oysters at 8.50 euros. 12 oysters from 11.50 to 13.50 euros.

The Bassin d'Arcachon has launched the Route de l'huître (Oyster Trail) during the summer, around which numerous events take place: festivals, concerts, regattas in remarkable sites.

For further information: Arcachon Tourist Office

Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the oyster ports and deserted beaches collecting driftwood. During the low season, you can take a peaceful trip aboard a traditional barge, the famous typical boat used by oyster farmers, and discover the secrets of the Île aux Oiseaux and the huts on stilts with an enthusiastic guide. Apart from the birds perched on the pignots, the tall wooden posts planted in the water to mark the boundaries of the oyster beds, you'll feel as if you're all alone in the world in the middle of the Bassin, tinted in winter colours. Then visit the Maison de l'Huître (Oyster House), finishing with a tasting of course.

BARGE TRIP

📍 190 route du CAP FERRET 33950 LEGE CAP FERRET - LE CANON

☎️ +33 6 58 82 27 57

It all depends on how much time you take to eat, whether it's for lunch or just to enjoy a little tasting in the middle of the afternoon. You can even stay a little longer to meet the oyster farmers and learn more about their work. In short, it's the holidays, so stay as long as you like!

The oyster villages are for seafood lovers only, with the oysters coming straight from the basin, so some may want to try them and enjoy a nice platter with friends or family. You can also sit out on the terrace by the sea in one of these brightly coloured huts. On the other hand, for children or adults who don't like oysters, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the basin, but you may be a little hungry.

Oyster huts can be found in Cap Ferret, in the village of l'Herbe or even in Andernos les Bains.

⭐L'hôtel côté sable located on the Cap Ferret peninsula is just a 15-minute drive from the oyster-farming village of l'Herbe. An accommodation equipped with modern rooms with a refined and elegant decoration, as well as a Clarins spa with hammam. With a bar overlooking the sea, this establishment offers an idyllic setting for a stay of well-being and relaxation.

🚗 If you decide to visit the oyster-farming villages of Arcachon, you'll need to travel by car. In the direction of Cap Ferret, the journey takes around an hour from Bordeaux to reach the peninsula and its oyster-farming villages. Take the ring road and continue towards Lège Cap Ferret. A bus can take you there, although the journey takes twice as long, taking 2 hours 40 minutes and costing €2.

🚢 You can use the car to explore the coast and visit the cabins at Andernos, but for a more complete and enjoyable trip, there are shuttle buses that leave from the Arcachon coast for the bay of Andernos. From here, you can discover what the local oyster huts have to offer.