Visite et dégustation d’huîtres Discover oyster farming on the island of Noirmoutier

Oyster tour and tasting: discover oyster farming on the island of Noirmoutier

Several oyster farms on the island open their doors to visitors, offering tours of shellfish production facilities. These tours allow visitors to discover the different stages of production: oyster farming in the oyster beds of Bourgneuf Bay, shellfish sorting, refining, and preparation for sale.

The visit often ends with an oyster tasting directly at the producer's farm. It's an opportunity to discover the taste of Noirmoutier oysters, an iconic product of the region, and to chat with the professionals about their work.

These tasting huts offer an authentic setting for discovering Noirmoutier oysters. This shellfish tasting directly at the production site is an unmissable experience for visitors wishing to discover local gastronomy and seafood in Noirmoutier.

Direct sales of oysters are also a must in Noirmoutier! At the market or directly at the hut, it is possible to buy shellfish from the Bay of Bourgneuf and take them home to cook.

Oyster ports: the heart of shellfish farming

On the island's east coast, facing Bourgneuf Bay, several ports and oyster farming areas testify to the importance of shellfish farming in the local economy. Among them, the Bonhomme oyster port, located in La Guérinière, is one of the main hubs of activity for professionals.

At low tide, oyster farmers reach their concessions using tractors towing barges, flat-bottomed boats adapted to areas exposed at low tide. These back-and-forth trips punctuate the life of the port and offer a typical spectacle of oyster farming. Offshore, thousands of oyster tables line the bay, where the oysters grow for nearly three years before being sold.

Jacobsen Pier

In Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, the Jacobsen jetty is one of the best places to understand the connection between the land and the sea. Built in the early 19th century, this historic dike was used to develop the marshes and secure access to the port. Today, it has become a popular pedestrian and cycle path, offering panoramic views of the marshes, the port, and the coastal landscapes.

From the jetty, it's common to see the ballet of tractors and oyster boats returning to the oyster beds with the rhythm of the tides. This daily activity perfectly illustrates the organization of the shellfish farmers' work and the importance of the sea in the life of the island.

Mussel farming in Noirmoutier: bouchot mussels

Alongside oyster farming, mussel farming also plays an important role on the island of Noirmoutier. Bouchot mussels are cultivated on large wooden stakes called bouchots, installed along the coastline or in the bay.

Like oysters, mussels are an iconic product of the local cuisine. Visitors can enjoy them in many restaurants on the island of Noirmoutier, or buy them directly from some producers at their huts or in markets during the season.

Discover shellfish farming in the Pays de la Loire region

To find a sales point, a place to visit or a tasting on the island of Noirmoutier, you can use our interactive map: https://www.huitres-moules-paysdelaloire.fr/ou-nous-trouver.html

This article is part of a project funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF), managed by the Pays de la Loire Region.

Downloads:

• Download document: logo-ue.jpg
• Download document: re-gion-pays-de-la-loire.jpg
• Download document: republique-francaise-logo.jpg