From Bassin…to the plate: live my life as an oyster farmer!
We are not born queens, we become queens! Before being enthroned in all the good huts, the Bassin oyster is the subject of a long culture, combining patience, know-how and traditions. Is the tide low? Embark on a traditional plate and discover the daily life of those who pass the "pearl" from the bench to the plate.
Trades ⚓
oyster farming, that can be read on the features and on the skin of our oyster farmers, tanned by the sun and the wind: a life to the rhythm of the elements! And the discovery begins as soon as you arrive in the oyster huts.
Between two baskets, your captain for the day will explain his organization to you. And yes, because in the end what is the daily life of an oyster farmer? In the case of our captain of the day, during the week, he raises the oysters that he sells on the market when the weekend comes. A hard job, some would say, but he assures us that passion always takes over. We remain in awe!
The character of its sea 🌊
We let the teams on site continue sorting the shells to climb aboard our captain's oyster platform! Hat required from Gujan-Mestras! Bright sunshine and bitter cold: the contrast is perfect for illustrating the daily life of an oyster farmer at sea. A clever mix of patience (oyster beds are an hour away by boat) and speed (time is counted between two tides), contemplation and hard work.
Amusement parks 🎠
11:30 a.m., we reach the parks where the stars of tomorrow are pampered. Our oyster farmer gives them the famous Arcachon massage to separate them, then turns their pouch over before moving on to the next ones. The gesture is precise, almost timed to escape the rising tide.
In 3 to 4 years of ageing, the pockets will be turned many times. They will be regularly brought back to dry to be sorted according to their size. and put in larger mesh pockets.
Our guide invites us to join him between the benches. It's a strange feeling to walk on this land, still under water a few hours ago...
We were eagerly awaiting it: the tasting! A royal snack that the oyster farmer takes the time to savor with us. Under the milky sky, the immersion is perfect.
💡 Did you know ? With its vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C and D, the oyster is a naval battle in itself. Not to mention its iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorus intake!
One pileote, pilings 🌅
4:30 p.m.: the water slowly begins to rise, we rush on the boat while our oyster farmer gently laughs at us. If the tchanquées cabins tempt us? Absolutely ! Direction the Ile aux Oiseaux for a pure moment of poetry facing the famous twin cabins. The still low tide offers us a superb panorama!
Our introduction to oyster farming is coming to an end. It's time to return home and thank our pilot once again for his kindness and generosity. Royals, of course.
Want to get on board?
To find all the professionals who offer a tide outing in our document “ Embark on the tide", near the Maison de l'Huître (museum) on the Port de Larros in Gujan-Mestras (05 56 66 23 71), or our Bassin Tourist Offices.
