Find, choose and taste the oyster of Chatelaillon: we tell you everything!

Spending a vacation in Chatelaillon without tasting oysters? Unthinkable! With its iodized perfume, its unctuous flavor and its fascinating history, the queen of the coast puts everyone in agreement. Even the little ones love them if you know how to do it right! Where to find it, how to choose it well and how to sublimate it, we tell you everything. Follow us!

Where to find the best oysters in Chatelaillon?

Looking for that special gem? There are several options available to you.

First of all, you can go directly to the oyster zone of the city. The short circuits, we do not make better! It is the ideal opportunity to meet the local producers and discover the world of oysters. Do not hesitate to ask them questions, they will be proud to share with you their passion for this beautiful product.

First option: in the oyster shacks!

We share with you 3 nice addresses to enjoy oysters in Chatelaillon with your feet in the sand.

The Boucholeurs oyster shacks are still the best way to enjoy Chatelaillon’s nuggets. Fresh, shiny and fragrant, they delight visitors and regale regulars every day. A glass of chilled Charentais white wine, a drizzle of lemon juice and you have an exceptional dish!

Second option :
Buy your oysters at the covered market

It’s open May 1 through September 30every day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. then October through AprilTuesdays through Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.You check the day’s date, grab your best basket and let the enticing smells of the stalls guide you. To unearth the best oysters, we give you our 5 favorite stands :

The Courprie Family, from father to son
La Famille Guignet
Aux Friandises de l’Océan
La Poissonnerie chez Janny
La Poissonnerie Oléronnaise

Our good addresses in the covered market

GAEC Courprie

Vente d’huîtres et moules A.Guignet

Poissonnerie Chez Janny

Poissonnerie Oléronnaise

How to choose your oyster ?

There are different boxes to check before tasting the oysters of Chatelaillon:

Freshness

Preferably buy them in a basket to keep them flat
Be sure to look at the shipping date on the bourriche label
Store them for about 10 days in the fridge or in a cool place, between +5°C and +10°C

The type: flat or hollow

The flat oyster is rarer, more expensive and distinguished by its strong iodine taste
The hollow oyster, which is more common, is divided into three varieties depending on their space and maturation time: fines, specials and claires pushes

Ostreiculture Chatelaillon Plage Agence Les Conteurs 9

The calibre

The higher the gauge number, the smaller the oyster!
For flats :

- 000, the largest: between 100 and 200 g.
- 00: 90 to 100 g
- 0: 80 g
- 1: 70 g
- 2 : 60 g
- 3 : 50 g

For hollows:
- 1, very large: 111 g and up
- 2, large: 80 to 110 g
- 3, medium: 50 to 80 g
- 4, small: 30 to 50 g
- 5, very small: under 30 g

How to open an oyster easily ?

Ostreiculture Huitre Chatelaillon Boucholerus

Choose your knife and hold it ½ cm from the tip to avoid injuring yourself by ripping
Grab the shell in your hand and sever the oyster muscle located at your middle finger
Once the knife is in, make small twisting motions with your wrist to pull the shell apart
Finally slide the knife to the foot of the oyster and pry it open fully. Quite a skill!”

Have you injured yourself while opening? No need to panic! Run your hand under cold water, disinfect the wound and seek medical attention right away.
To all curious musselmen: never open an oyster without an adult present.