The Oyster Route :
Oysters are very rich in iron, low in calories and a good source of vitamins and minerals. France is the fourth-largest producer of oysters in the world, at 130,000 tonnes, after the United States, Japan and Korea.
The flat varieties, the only true oysters found on our coasts, are the preferred choice of the connoisseur, but these were decimated by disease in 1920 and now represent only a very small percentage of French production. The cupped varieties of Japanese (98%) and Portuguese origin are produced all along the coast, preferably close to the mouths of rivers or in indentations in the coastline.
THE 12 MAIN VARIETIES OF BRETON OYSTERS
CANCALE OYSTERS
The tides in the bay of Mont Saint-Michel are some of the highest in the world (up to 14 metres), ensuring that the oyster beds are perfectly oxygenated as a result. The strength of the currents means that the waters are continually stirred up and fresh plankton is brought in. The mesh bags used to grow the oysters are attached to metal tables between 40 and 50 cm high. After three or four years, the oysters are harvested, washed, cleaned and sorted and are full-flavoured with a salty taste and firm but tender flesh. Three to four thousand tonnes of cupped and a thousand tonnes of flat oysters are produced every year, some of which reach “horse’s hoof” size.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec à Trébeurden
Les Maisons de Bricourt à Cancale
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
Longueville Manor
PAIMPOL OYSTERS
This is the offshore oyster par excellence, produced far out at sea throughout Paimpol bay. The beds are exposed at every tide. They are grown in mesh bags, which gives nice "fat” oysters.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec à Trébeurden
Les Maisons de Bricourt à Cancale
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
Longueville Manor
TREGUIER RIVER OYSTERS
The estuary of the River Tréguier, in the Côtes d’Armor region, is particularly rich in marine plankton. The beds are exposed at every tide.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec à Trébeurden
Les Maisons de Bricourt à Cancale
Longueville Manor
MORLAIX-PENZE OYSTERS
Overlooking Morlaix bay, Carantec is situated on the tip of the peninsula between the Penzé and Morlaix rivers. It is here, in the bay and the two rivers, that the beds are located.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
l’Hôtel de la Plage à Sainte-Anne la Palud
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec à Trébeurden
NACRE DES ABERS OYSTERS
These are the most westerly oysters in France. They are grown in the Aber Wrac’h and the Aber Benoît, two deep saltwater rivers that carve a path through the north-west tip of Brittany. Oysters are grown there in a mixture of saltwater currents and freshwater streams.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
l’Hôtel de la Plage à Sainte-Anne la Palud
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec à Trébeurden
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
RADE DE BREST OYSTERS
The oysters known as “Rade de Brest” are grown in river estuaries (particularly the Daoulas) and mud flats rich in plankton where the waters meet as the tides ebb and flow.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
l’Hôtel de la Plage à Sainte-Anne la Palud
AVEN-BELON OYSTERS
The term “Aven-Belon” is used to designate three superb rias on the southern coast of the Cornouaille region: Aven, Belon and Merrien. The area is not a production centre, but simply an exceptional refining area. In Brittany, rias are the estuaries (inlets) that are rocked twice a day by the rising and falling tides, mixing high volumes of fresh water from the local network of waterways (springs, rivers and so on). In 2001, the producers of Riec-sur-Belon created and launched a joint brand to promote the flat oysters of Riec-sur-Belon using the designation “Fine flat Belon oysters, quality and traceability controlled”.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
le Château de Locguénolé à Hennebont
l’Hôtel de la Plage à Sainte-Anne la Palud
le Castel Clara à Belle-Île
ETEL RIVER OYSTERS
Produced in the “River Etel”, a true inland sea that penetrates deep into the lush Morbihan countryside, making a jagged indentation along the shoreline.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
le Château de Locguénolé à Hennebont
le Castel Clara à Belle-Île
QUIBERON OYSTERS
The water here is of a very specific kind, rich in algae and plankton, refreshed twice a day by the Saint-Philibert river and Quiberon bay. This gives the oysters a fine invigorating balance of flavours.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
le Castel Clara à Belle-Île
le Château de Locguénolé à Hennebont
GULF OF MORBIHAN OYSTERS
The Gulf of Morbihan is a true inland sea, continually crossed by violent currents, which fills and empties as the tides ebb and flow. Plankton grows there on the numerous sea grasses.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
le Château de Locguénolé à Hennebont
le Castel Clara à Belle-Île
Le Domaine de Rochevilaine à Billiers
L’Auberge Bretonne à la Roche Bernard
La Bretesche à Missillac
Le Fort de l’Océan au Croisic
Le Castel Marie Louise à la Baule
PENERF OYSTERS
“Penerf” oysters are grown in the folds of the marine ria where the oyster beds are located.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
le Castel Clara à Belle-Île
Le Domaine de Rochevilaine à Billiers
L’Auberge Bretonne à la Roche Bernard
La Bretesche à Missillac
Le Fort de l’Océan au Croisic
Le Castel Marie Louise à la Baule
LE CROISIC OYSTERS
The Traicts du Croisic form a bay that is half closed by the Pen Bron sand bar. The Grand Traict, which is dedicated to cockle-growing, is distinct from the Petit Traict, which is used to grow a variety of products. Le Croisic is the leading cockle-growing centre in France. The shellfish farmers there also grow oysters, mussels and clams.
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
le Castel Clara à Belle-Île
Le Domaine de Rochevilaine à Billiers
L’Auberge Bretonne à la Roche Bernard
La Bretesche à Missillac
Le Fort de l’Océan au Croisic
Le Castel Marie Louise à la Baule
The Oyster Route : nearby Relais & Chateaux properties
Hôtel et Spa de la Bretesche
Hotel and restaurant on a golf course
The boundless charm of this estate works its magic as soon as you cross the gates. A ravishing 15th century castle nestles in the heart of magnificent parkland with its ancient trees and outbuildings housing the guest rooms. Each of the rooms boasts an original décor and they all exude warmth, authenticity and sophistication: also the hallmark of the chef’s inventive cuisine at Le Montaigu, and of the décor of the bar in the former stable block which has preserved the ancient marble feed and water troughs. The Cour Carrée spa is a perfect haven of peace offering well-being and peace of mind and the 18-hole golf course, designed by Henry Cotton, provides superb views over the castle. ...Read more
France, Missillac
Les Maisons de Bricourt
Restaurant and hotel on the seafront
At Les Maisons de Bricourt there are breathtaking views of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and, at your feet, the oyster farms and the little port of Cancale. In this world of illustrious seafarers, the spirit of the restaurant Le Coquillage is one of elegant simplicity paired with gentle hospitality. The cuisine showcasing produce from the bay of Cancale reflects the maritime adventures of this former pirate country by using more than 120 spices from the East and West Indies. You will find two residences; the château Richeux and the cottage Les Rimains, as well as Les Gîtes Marins for families. The Roellingers’s joie de vivre is evident in the patisserie-tea room Grain de Vanille, the Cuisine Corsaire cookery school and the Épices-Roellinger warehouse. ...Read more
France, Saint Méloir des Ondes
Castel Clara Thalasso & Spa
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
The secluded island of Belle-Île-en-Mer is the ideal setting for a restorative getaway. Visitors arrive by boat on this aptly named “beautiful island at sea”, with its rocky coves with turquoise water, blooming hills and pastel-hued ports. Castel Clara overlooks the picturesque Goulphar Bay, where the Impressionist Claude Monet liked to paint his magical landscapes. Marvel at the views of the Aiguilles de Port-Coton, a series of sculptural rocky formations jutting out in the middle of the ocean, savour the delights of the local cuisine, or head to the thalassotherapy centre or spa to experience Belle-Île-en-Mer health treatments with fresh gorse flowers. ...Read more
France, Bangor
Manoir de Lan-Kerellec
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Surrounded by the immense sea and the reefs of the Pink Granite Coast, the Manoir de Lan-Kerellec is a jewel in Brittany’s crown. From your balcony, drink in the magical panoramic view of the islands of Milliau, Molène and Losquet. Then you might want to take a walk along the coastal path to taste the sea spray, or scuba dive for a closer look at the underwater nature reserve. Enjoy your dinner in the dining room built in the shape of an upturned boat, a masterpiece by the Compagnons du Devoir. ...Read more
France, Trébeurden
Hôtel de la Plage
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Refined dishes such as tartare of bass and caviar, prawn salad and carpaccio of Saint-Jacques à l’orange, take on a special flavour when they are served in a wonderful place like Hôtel de la Plage. The panoramic restaurant overlooks the ocean and the vast beach of fine sand. There are similar views from the rooms, where you can hear the gentle lapping of the waves. Guests with families will enjoy the beach entirely dedicated to children. ...Read more
France, Sainte-Anne-la-Palud
Château de Locguénolé
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
A door leads out to the ocean and a private dock for immediate boarding. Sailing between Lorient and the island of Groix is an unforgettable experience and just one of the many pleasures in store at this historic castle and manor house surrounded by 120 hectares of private forest that overlooks a wide stretch of sea. Helicopter flights over the cliffs of Brittany are also on offer. On returning to the ground, sample the delights of the menu of fresh seafood and Brittany’s local produce, followed by a shiatsu massage to finish off a perfect day. ...Read more
France, Kervignac
Castel Marie-Louise
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
This year, the six kilometres of fine sand at La Baule have joined the very select circle of “The World's Most Beautiful Bays Club”. This Belle Époque mansion house with its sophisticated English style décor by Jacques Garcia stands across from the Atlantic Ocean. Every detail counts. The perfect retreat for a charming break, with staff who are attentive to your every wish. The delicious breakfast already hints at the chef’s treats in store, fricassee of lobster or sea bass with caviar. Another major attraction: the thalassotherapy centre and many other leisure activities are a mere stone's throw away. Here, the last word in chic is to get around on one of the bikes borrowed from the hotel. ...Read more
France, La Baule
Domaine de Rochevilaine
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Bertrand Jaquet, owner of Domaine de Rochevilaine, has a genuine passion for Brittany and his desire to share that love with his guests is evident. Be seduced by the breathtaking, typically Breton setting on the Vilaine estuary with its jagged cliffs and blue waters. Savour a Breton lobster like none other at the seaside restaurant, where dining feels a bit like being on the deck of an ocean liner. Listen to the sound of the waves during a restorative treatment at the excellent spa, perhaps “la table phénicienne” (the Phoenician table), a massage patented by the establishment. Another one of Bertrand Jaquet’s passions is art, as guests are bound to discover in the hotel’s wonderful art gallery. ...Read more
France, Billiers
Le Fort de l’Océan
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
For the past four centuries, this granite fort on the Croisic peninsula has stood guard over the moods of the sea and the ramparts, moats and drawbridges are all still standing. Built to resist storms and attacks, today, behind this tough exterior there is charming oak panelling, sweet-smelling gardens, a sheltered swimming pool and a kitchen garden. The chef uses herbs and vegetables from the garden in his inventive cuisine that usually includes fresh seafood. For dessert, the slightly salty homemade caramel is a real treat. ...Read more
France, Le Croisic
