La Cité de L'Huître
La Cité de L'Huître
4.5
About
La Cité de l'Huître is set in an exceptional environment on the banks of the Seudre, between the oyster beds, the river and the ocean, at the heart of the largest oyster maturing marsh in Europe. During the season, take part in our events, tours and activities to discover all the secrets of the oyster and the Seudre marsh, its oyster farmers, their trade and their history. Daily open-air demonstrations on oyster farming & opening of oysters (in french). Outdoor games and booklets for children (available in english). Self-guided tour of the museum with handout in english (1 hour). Guided tours in English on reservation for groups of 15 or more. If you're feeling hungry, you can go to our bar-restaurant with a panoramic terrasse, open for lunch and tea time. Children’s menu available.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Carole JMaine et Loire, France7 contributionsA must seeWe loved our visit: no restaurant experience. On the other hand, the rest was perfect: we learned a lot of things, from oyster farming, to the history of oyster farming, to how to open oysters without difficulty, to recipes for hot oysters. Thanks to Raphaël our very educational guide, he knew how to make the visit an interactive journey. Well done !!! We better understand the technical nature of the profession and why oysters are a luxury product. Thank you oyster farmers. Beautiful area. A family from Maine et LoireVisited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 April 2024
- HellstormCergy, France1,024 contributionsWhat a great discoveryA truly awesome experience, from start to finish. A discovery of the oyster farming world so well addressed by the speakers. Thanks again to Manon and her “intern” Mattéo who taught us what an “oyster” was. And above all thank you for educating me on "how to open an oyster", something that I had never been able to do before this training. Really worth doing because it is informative and very pleasant.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 May 2024
- Nicole SParis, France96 contributionsVery informative visit that you absolutely must do to know everything about oystersAfter having lunch there, we participated in all the activities offered: discovery of the marsh, oyster farming, introduction to hot oysters, introduction to opening oysters... without getting hurt! The guide solicited the participants and the visit was very lively. We weren't bored!Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 17 May 2024
- StefB79Pamproux, France394 contributionsExcellent!They are eaten on special occasions, but what do we know about oysters? The Oyster City is here to fill our "gaps"! Between the thematic exhibitions in cabins and workshops not people who know their subject and have the didactic spirit (an animator even managed to me of these creatures, and it was not won!), you will emerge from this visit with another vision of oyster farming! We spent 3 hours on the site, without being bored! To do, even if you don't mage "pebbles" 😆Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 July 2024
- grohleprovencalFrance255 contributionsBaked oysters with baguetteAfter extensive information about the ripening process of the oysters, we had the opportunity to taste the baked oysters in the restaurant. Previously we watched the video about the ingredients and preparation. Baked with butter and cream fraiche, white wine and grated cheese, the oyster becomes an absolute delicacy. We were surprised and delighted at this quick preparation. They were accompanied by baguette and a regional white wine. The food rounded off the information and demonstration of opening the oyster. A visit to the Cite de l'huitre is an absolute must.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 July 2024
- cedric c93 contributionsA discovery of essential oyster farmingA very informative visit, by a passionate and exciting team. When you leave here, you will know all about oyster farming and the eights of Marennes Oléron. Small parking nearby, quickly full in tourist season, otherwise parking in Marennes and shuttle. Plan 3 hours.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 July 2024
- Marina C5 contributionsA wonderful day!A beautiful day that will have started with a small train ride by a charming driver, followed by a varied didactic presentation, we are now ungluable on the Fine Oysters of Claire - Marennes Oléron, Thank you Claire and Jean-Michel! As for the restaurant: perfect setting, tasty pineau sauce mussels and impeccable service. I highly recommend!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 1 August 2024
- Drochon JNiort, France235 contributionsTo do with family with geocache ride!Great experience with two children aged 2 and 6 who enjoyed the walk! The city of oysters is suitable for all ages and the pedagogy is very well made to learn quickly and playfully! We also made the geocache ride (with Geocaching application) by bike which can be done on foot: beautiful place! We recommend 100%.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 14 August 2024
- Martine B93 contributionsgetaway to MarennesVery nice experience on the oyster farming world. Animations commented by Enora, on the demonstration of oyster breeding, discovery of the marsh, how to open an oyster well, and visit the different exhibition huts. Enora’s explanations, very complete said with humor. We have food on site. Wonderful meal, served by 2 charming young lady, fast, professional with a smile. A beautiful sun accompanied us all day A good memoryVisited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 15 September 2024
- Pau_MPas-de-Calais, France34 contributionsA very nice discovery!We went to the Oyster City to discover this world of oyster farming that we did not know at all! And what a surprise. We were off to do 1 or 2 animations and thanks to Manon's passion (the animator) we did them all! She managed to take us with her and introduce us to this incredible world. Entertainment is planned for all ages! Congratulations to the teams!Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
543 reviews
Excellent
284
Very good
179
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42
Poor
17
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21
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roxane15
aurillac4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We chose this visit a little by chance among the campsite brochures, but we were enchanted by the visit.
Discovery of oyster farming, the technique of opening oysters, very educational visit to the huts. Young and old alike were delighted and the restaurant can be recommended, quality products well cooked.
A great day
Discovery of oyster farming, the technique of opening oysters, very educational visit to the huts. Young and old alike were delighted and the restaurant can be recommended, quality products well cooked.
A great day
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guide666385
Montreuil-sur-Mer, France3 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Very rewarding experience as this visit to this very informative and well presented site. We participated in all the activities of the day, masterfully led by Jean-Michel. Add to that an extremely friendly welcome, and you have the keys to a discovery not to be missed if you stay in Charente Maritime
Automatically translated
Written 11 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippe B
2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Very interesting visit thanks to the very dynamic facilitators. Don't hesitate to enjoy the city's restaurant. We enjoyed excellent oysters on a large terrace protected from the sun, served by smiling and attentive staff. The “head to head” formula offers very good value for money.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucas camille
56 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Good but nothing more, quite expensive! Unprofessional service, we had to ask for our drinks several times, we wanted to order a dessert but since no one was coming, after a while we left! Disappointing especially since the visit to the oyster city was great!
During the visit we tasted delicious hot oysters, this is among other reasons why we went to this restaurant but the ones ordered were really not of the same quality as the others
During the visit we tasted delicious hot oysters, this is among other reasons why we went to this restaurant but the ones ordered were really not of the same quality as the others
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hunter Lily R
Glasgow, UK39 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
We only visited the museum as we had just come from a fabulous lunch at Le Cayenne, and it was hysterical. There was a very cheesy (and slightly tongue-in-cheek) video including a chef explaining how to prepare and eat oysters, which was thoroughly enjoyed. Besides this it was very interesting to learn about how oysters are cultivated and the history behind them and the area, definitely entertaining! Spent about an hour in the museum, and it was worth it.
Written 27 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marion S
Cambridge, UK163 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
It was an interesting visit, we did shuck our oysters and get to taste, helped by an English speaking member of staff. The museum cabins are laid out well and give an excellent overview into the oyster industry. But how much more interesting we would have found it if there had been some translation into other languages, films and information boards were all in French.
Surely so close to La Rochelle holiday makers from all over the world must visit.
Interestingly there was a customer satisfaction questionnaire to complete - in English!
Surely so close to La Rochelle holiday makers from all over the world must visit.
Interestingly there was a customer satisfaction questionnaire to complete - in English!
Written 25 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
8 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
This Oyster Museum really impressed my family. Firstly it is very affordable at less than €10 per person including two oysters and €5 off-peak. There is much to take in and do with various large "sheds" you can explore. For example one shed had a microscope of an infant Oyster. There is a free multilingual tour guide for the sheds you can take from reception which covers all the details. We planned on this being a couple of hours trip but it turned up taking most of the day and my brother and I don't even like Oysters!
Written 25 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evs9493
Albuquerque, NM69 contributions
If you always wanted to try and to know about oysters, this is the place for you. Wellorganized, English spoken, and 2 miles further up the road, the BEST oysters I have ever had. restaurant is at the very end of the road, called Becine. elegant service, phenomenal views, make a reservation if you can.
If weather is good and you are adventurous, rent a bike at La Cite and ride the 2 miles to the restaurant.
If weather is good and you are adventurous, rent a bike at La Cite and ride the 2 miles to the restaurant.
Written 26 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie L
Charleston, SC106 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Marennes is one of those towns that always gets overlooked by tourists busy rushing to a bigger town somewhere. How unfortunate. Marennes is exactly the kind of town that helps you feel the essence of France. The people are warm, charming and welcoming, and definitely interested in speaking with any Americans who might be visiting their town. We spent time talking with a wonderful group of young students, amazed to see two Americans bicycling through the French countryside. You can read more about my impressions of Marennes at:
http://experiencefrancebybike.com/marennes-the-city-of-the-oyster/
http://experiencefrancebybike.com/marennes-the-city-of-the-oyster/
Written 14 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DadaGee
Montendre, France545 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Wh would have believed that you could spend a whole day at an exhibition devoted to oysters? You certainly can do at La Cité de l'Huître.
There’s large cabins with audio-visual explanations (with some English translations) explaining in detail the history and development of oysters. There are site visits where you can see exactly how oysters are raised in Charente-Maritime, the techniques that give them their unique taste, and a masterclass in opening oysters. And there’s even a cabin where you can have cooked oysters and get recipe ideas. With an on-site restaurant it’s easy to spend a whole day here.
Absolutely recommended as a visit. Some knowledge of French will help, and in summer the car parking is around a kilometre away - but it’s an easy and interesting walk, and there’s free bike hire. A great day out.
There’s large cabins with audio-visual explanations (with some English translations) explaining in detail the history and development of oysters. There are site visits where you can see exactly how oysters are raised in Charente-Maritime, the techniques that give them their unique taste, and a masterclass in opening oysters. And there’s even a cabin where you can have cooked oysters and get recipe ideas. With an on-site restaurant it’s easy to spend a whole day here.
Absolutely recommended as a visit. Some knowledge of French will help, and in summer the car parking is around a kilometre away - but it’s an easy and interesting walk, and there’s free bike hire. A great day out.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour
Est adapté aux enfants de 10 ans?
Merci d’avance
Written 16 April 2019
Bonjour,
La Cité de l'Huître est adaptée à toute la famille, avec des activités pour les plus jeunes: pêche au carrelet, peinture sur coquilles, jeux de canons à eau, quiz…
Les animations ont lieu sur le marais, dans une ferme ostréicole, sur un ponton. Les enfants comme les adultes vivent ensemble l'aventure de la Cité de l'Huître.
Nous aurons plaisir à vous retrouver à Marennes,
A bientôt,
Written 16 April 2019
If I take the bus from La Rochelle to Marennes, is there any bus to go to La Cite De L'huitre? Thanks.
Written 1 March 2016
Bonsoir Karen, non il n'y a pas de bus direct pour la Cité de l'Huître. Mais en juillet et août la Gare d'accueil (à quelques centaines de mètres de la Place Carnot, point d'arrivée du bus) met à votre disposition un service de navette pour vous rendre sur les différents points du site.
Sinon hors saison l'Aventure de L'Huître point d'accueil se situe à 4 km de votre arrêt direction Port de La Cayenne.
En espérant avoir répondue à vos attentes
Cordialement
Yann
Written 18 April 2016
Bonjour, je désire me rendre a la cité de l'huître j'aimerai dormir en chambre d'hôte près de ce chenal
J'attends vos avis!
Merci d'avance
Written 25 January 2015
Bonjour Gabrielle,
Vous avez deux Gites à proximité de La Cité de L'Huître, le premier à l'entrée du chenal au niveau du port de plaisance le second à 300 mètres du site au bout du chenal de La Cayenne.
En espérant avoir répondue à vos attentes
Cordialement
Yann
Written 18 April 2016
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