Personal Guide to Achieving "Oyster Freedom" in France
A 5-Day Seafood Feast: Tasting 10 Oyster Varieties & Seafood at Les Halles Markets Across 3 French Citiesđ° Compared with restaurants (we also dined at several and ordered oysters there), eating oysters at Les Halles is a much more cost-effective option. đ Usually, such seafood markets and food halls also offer wines for pairing. đŁđŁDuring this trip, we visited three Les Halles locations: 1. Les Grandes Halles de Vieux Port, Marseille âââââ This food hall in Marseille has a relatively complete range of oyster varieties. It offers both Mediterranean oysters from southern France and cold-water oysters from Normandy and Brittany, all of excellent quality and at pleasant prices. For example, the price of Gillardeau oysters ranges from âŹ28 to âŹ44 per dozen, depending on the size (from No. 5 to No. 2).đ„ We finally achieved "Gillardeau freedom"! The small-sized "Perle Blanche" (White Pearl) oysters cost âŹ19 per dozenâthough small, they are plump and sweet. Other varieties like Fine de Claire are mostly around âŹ20-plus per dozen (approximately 200 RMB). đ„ The seafood, such as shrimp and shellfish, is also of high quality, and various hot foods in the hall, like pizza and burgers, are quite delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, perfectly capturing the vibe of southern France!đ 2. Les Halles de SĂšte, SĂšte âââ This Les Halles is more like a local food market. Most of the oysters here are produced in Bouzigues, and the prices are very affordable, ranging from âŹ14 to âŹ18 per dozen. To be honest, they are fresh and tasty, but not particularly amazing. For a similar price, we think the "Perle Blanche" oysters in Marseille are of much higher quality. That said, itâs still a good place to grab a bite in SĂšte.đ 3. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, Lyon ââââ As a decent big city, Lyonâs Les Hallesânamed after Paul Bocuseâhas a more "petite bourgeois" charm. The market mainly consists of various bistrots (small restaurants), and the seafood here is of a higher grade. The oyster varieties are mostly from Brittany and Normandy. We tried Belon, Gillardeau, and oysters from a brand called Kys Maison. - Small-sized Belon oysters cost around âŹ29 per dozen, and medium-sized ones âŹ36 per dozenâthey have a crisp texture and a unique flavor compared to other varieties.âšâš - Gillardeau oysters (size N3) are âŹ45 per dozen, which is not cheap. đ- Kys Maison oysters are âŹ30 per dozen for small sizes and âŹ44 for large sizesâwe even ordered extra, as they were quite good. This Brittany-based brand is not a traditionally well-known oyster label, but itâs surprisingly excellent. For bistrot recommendations, Maison Cellerier stands outâit has consistent food quality, and its hot dishes are also outstanding. âïž Chefs who take cooking seriously truly deserve respect! Of course, the overall prices here are not as budget-friendly as those in southern France. Summaryđ While itâs great to enjoy local ingredients, our comparison shows that even in southern France, oysters from Brittany and Normandy still have a significant advantage. âïž đđAdditionally, we found that dining at Les Halles during this trip offered a fantastic experienceâit felt very much like living like a local. We highly recommend giving it a try! #FrenchOysters #FrenchCuisine #MarseilleGuide
