A camping vacation on the Bassin d’Arcachon also means being surprised by flavours you won’t find anywhere else. For gourmets and lovers of good things, here are 10 delicacies to enjoy on site or pack in your suitcases this summer!
The Arcachon Basin oyster
The Arcachon Basin is one of France’s leading oyster production areas. The oysters grown here are particularly fleshy and tasty. Whether you’re looking for a “guinguette chic” atmosphere in an oyster bar at Cap-Ferret, or an “à la bonne franquette” atmosphere in a tasting hut on the harbour in Gujan-Mestras, La Teste-de-Buch or Andernos, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy oysters from the Basin! Not forgetting, of course, a glass of white wine to go with it! (our suggestion at the end of the article)
Good fish from the Arcachon fish market
Beware: during your vacation in the Arcachon basin, you could well catch the seafood bug! In which case, you’ll absolutely have to try a fish dish direct from theArcachon fish market, or wander the aisles of the Halle Baltard to choose a fine sea bass, sole or sea bream. And for early risers, the Arcachon fish market opens its doors to holidaymakers at 6am, to witness the auction of the day’s catch.
Foie gras from the basin
Whatever the people of the Landes, the Bay of Arcachon also produces excellent foies gras, with an emphasis on authenticity, naturalness and traditional know-how. It’s prepared in Gujan-Mestras, at the Conserverie du Bassin d’Arcachon, using whole, semi-cooked duck from the neighboring Landes region. There are several recipes to choose from: foies gras with Guérande salt, Espelette pepper, Java long pepper and figs and cinnamon. Where to buy foie gras du Bassin: Conserverie du Bassin d’Arcachon: 4 rue Paul Bataille, 33470 Gujan-Mestras, www.conserverie-bassin-arcachon.com
The fougasse of Lège-Cap-Ferret
When you think of fougasse, you immediately think of Provence. But did you know that Lège-Cap-Ferret has made it a local specialty? On the menu: Southwestern-style fougasse, with bacon, goat’s cheese or olives! The Comité des fêtes in Le Barp, in the Val de l’Eyre, even organizes a fougasse festival, held every year in April.
Artisanal jams from Andernos
In every jar, there’s a little taste of the vacations! In Andernos-les-Bains, Maison Marelia offers you delicious artisanal jams cooked in cauldrons. Their expertise comes in over 70 flavors, based on fruit and vegetables, sweet or savory! The right address: Maison Marelia, 32 rue Panhard Levassor, 33510 Andernos-les-Bains, www.maisonmarelia.com
Les Dunes Blanches and Sablés de la Dune
A word to the wise! While you’re passing through Grand Piquey, a small village on Cap-Ferret, take the opportunity to sample the famous “Dunes Blanches” (a reference to the Pilat Dune). These succulent pastry cream puffs are sprinkled with powdered sugar. In La Teste-de-Buch, Jean-Marc Roumat’s cookie factory is proud of its “Sablés de la Dune”, with its slightly lemony taste. Temptation is hard to resist!
Caviar from Gironde, the black gold of the Basin
Caviar from the Gironde– who would have thought? In the 1870s, Alfred Prunier was the first to offer caviar from the Bay of Arcachon in his Parisian restaurant. An excellent “Siberian sturgeon caviar” produced today by L’Esturgeonnière du Teich and Moulin de la Cassadotte, in Biganos. Guided tours are available from April to September.
- L’Esturgeonnière: route de Mios Balanos, 33470 Le Teich, www.caviar-perlita.com
- Le Moulin de la Cassadote, 33380 Biganos, www.caviardefrance.com
Côte d’Argent snails
In Gujan-Mestras, you’ll find the best snails in Gironde, raised in the open air and fed exclusively on nettles, radishes, parsley and vegetable flour. You either love them or hate them! But snails – cagouilles – are delicious when cooked well. Educational visits to the farm, where Sandie Roche shares her passion for the little horned creatures. Producer direct sales: 1871 av. de Césarée, Gujan-Mestras, tel. 06 44 24 62 13.
Mira, the little local beer that’s making a splash
Malt grains, hops, yeast, spices and spring water from the Bassin d’Arcachon– that’s the (almost) secret recipe for a good craft beer! Light, refreshing, floral and low in alcohol, Mira beer, brewed in La Teste-de-Buch, is THE beer to try if you’re vacationing on the Bassin this summer! It won three gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the World Beer Awards in London in 2019! More info: www.brasseriemira.fr/
Blanc des Cabanes, a wine made by immersing yourself in the Basin
In Gironde, it’s well known that all roads lead to the vineyard. To get away from the beaten vines, you’ll have to invite Blanc des Cabanes to your table, a Graves appellation wine aged underwater, immersed for six months in oyster traps around the Banc d’Arguin. Surprising, isn’t it? A unique iodized wine, ideal to accompany a plate of oysters or a seafood platter! On sale at all good wine merchants on the Bassin.
Read also: Find all these local products on the Bassin d’Arcachon markets!