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Local produce and markets

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Local produce and markets

Because of its location between sea and land, Vendée offers a wealth of local gastronomic delights. Enjoy discovering and choosing your own favourite foods by visiting the numerous local markets and restaurants.

Local produce

From the fresh fish and seafood of the coast, to the duck meats of Challans, to the famous "brioche de Vendée" and the tasty "mogettes", the area has lots to offer.

In the north-west of the island of Noirmoutier are saltmarshes on which salt is deposited progressively by the drying action of the sun and the wind. When collected, it forms Noirmoutier’s white gold, the famous ‘Fleur de sel’ with its perfume of violets. This rare and delicate product can only be harvested in the traditional manner. On Noirmoutier, one can also sample, either pan-cooked or used as a condiment, the delicate samphire which grows on the fringes of the saltmarsh. Nor should we forget the flavoursome ‘bonnottes’. These unchallenged stars among potatoes with the taste of hazelnuts are served for a few days a year in France’s best restaurants.

 

From the Baie de Bourgneuf to the Baie de l’Aiguillon, the oyster with its sea-air taste grow in blissful abundance to the delight of oyster-lovers. Gourmets say that it is the most flavoursome ‘Spring Oyster’, but others enjoy it all year round.

LLocal Markets

There are numerous markets in the local towns and villages, especially during the summer, when you can also enjoy nocturnal markets.

Flea Markets (foires a la brocante)

WNocturnal Markets

Spread out all the way along the coast are numerous restaurants, each one more charming than the next and many of them offering their own fish and seafood specialities. Try sole sablaise with lemon, barbecued sardines from Sain-Gilles Croix-de-Vie, baked white tuna or mussels from the Baie de l’Aiguillon cooked in white wine. All these light dishes go well with a glass of chilled white wine from Brem-sur-mer, one of the celebrated Vendée Fiefs or with Grolleau Gris, a fragrant dry white wine from the local area.