Oysters at the La Houle Market

What it is

The Marché aux huîtres de Cancale is a row of stalls at the end of the port of La Houle, on the rue des Parcs, facing the bay's oyster beds. Eight oyster farmers sell their produce here every day of the year. You buy the dozen, they open it on the spot and you eat it sitting on the sea wall, looking at the oyster tables at low tide. It is the simplest and most typical thing to do in Cancale.

Who sells

The producers listed by the market itself are Earl Jean d'Cancale, Sceo Huîtres Simon, Sceo Les Huîtres de la Côte d'Emeraude, Earl Les Clas du Large, Sarl A. Prod'homme, Scea Querrien, Sarl Aux délices de Cancale and Earl Cahue. Each has its own stall and its own prices, by the dozen and by size. All accept cards, cheques and cash.

Hours

• Autumn and winter: every day from 9:00 to 17:30; on Wednesdays, until 17:00.
• Spring and summer: every day from 9:00 to 19:00, and until 20:00 in July and August.

Hours may change in very bad weather.

Price

Oysters are paid for by the dozen, with prices that change according to size and stall. A dozen of the small ones starts at around €6. There is no bread, no wine and no tables: it is the quay and the dozen. If you want to sit down with a glass, L'Atelier de l'Huître is a few steps away.

Getting there and parking

The market is in the port of La Houle, the lower part of Cancale, right at the quayside. The car parks next to the port are paid, with higher hourly rates in high season. The port car park, up above, next to La Ville Ballet, is free and a few minutes' walk away. Motorhomes have their La Ville Ballet area.

By bus from Saint-Malo, lines 5 and 9 of the MAT network reach Cancale; in summer, line 10 goes down to the port of La Houle. See the bus from Saint-Malo.

Accessibility, children and dogs

The market is at street level and can be visited with a pushchair or wheelchair; there is a table for people with reduced mobility. Dogs on a lead are welcome. With children, combine the dozen with a walk along the quay at low tide, when the oyster tables can be seen.

When to go

All year: Cancale oysters are eaten in any season. It is best to coincide with low tide, when the water retreats and the beds appear in front of the sea wall; check the tide table.

Complete the plan

To understand how oysters are raised, book the visit to La Ferme Marine, on a weekday. For a walk afterwards, the coastal path leaves the port towards the Pointe du Grouin. If you want to sleep on the quay, Le Querrien and Le Cancalais are at the port.