Oh well, we love the seafood, we know some cannot take it, so sad. We enjoy it very much near the coast in our beautiful Morbihan, the very best of France me think. I have written on the town of Damgan, but not much on its oysters of Pénerf which is part of the town. So therefore, let me tell you more of this delicacy in the oysters of Pénerf of Damgan!! Hope you enjoy as I.
Pénerf is a village belonging to the town of Damgan, located in the beautiful Morbihan and the lovely region of Bretagne. It is in a peninsula located between the Rhuys peninsula (see post) and the Vilaine estuary. To the west, the Pénerf river marks the limit of the town, the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Pénerf is, also, part of the Regional Natural Park of the Gulf of Morbihan.
From the 15C to the 18C, the port of Pénerf became an important port in Bretagne/Brittany. The 16C was also the golden age for Pénerf, which was then the fourth Breton port. Its boats went to Bordeaux to Rouen, from Cadiz to Norway,etc. The particular geology of the river or ria of Pénerf allows the establishment of a first oyster park in 1858. The oyster of Pénerf is one of the six crus of southern Brittany with the “Aven Belon”, the “Ria d’Etel”, “Quiberon”, “Gulf of Morbihan” and “Croisicaise”. Sublime!! (see posts).
There is the Maison de l’Huître or oyster house ,that provides information on the cultivation, and tastings as well as purchases, and a guided visit! Oyster farming, as a breeding activity, was born in the middle of the 19C, because it was necessary to preserve and even restore the natural banks of Belons, those flat oysters of which the south of Morbihan was the cradle. The oyster farms were then established near these natural beds of flat oysters. The first concessions are attested in 1858 in the Pénerf river and in 1863 in the Gulf of Morbihan. But in the 1970s, the virtual disappearance of the flat oyster led oyster farmers on the peninsula to breed cupped oysters, the Cassostréa Gigas also known as “Japanese oysters”. The flat or plate oyester is making a comeback today, thanks to the incomparable delicacy of its taste, and diehard oyster farmers. The Gulf and Rivière de Pénerf now produce more than 4,000 tons of oysters per year from more than 500 hectares of oyster concessions!
Pénerf oysters develop iodized aromas. They have a brown colored shell and a very white mother-of-pearl. In recent years, oyster farmers, restaurateurs and towns on the peninsula and the Penerf river have joined forces to organize a range of activities related to the discovery of oysters and oyster farming. On the program, farm visits and of course … tastings! Visits are provided from June 15 to September 15 by a professional guide, the oyster farmer, in most cases, also present. They take you to construction sites and / or parks. It is recommended to bring boots !. For those who would prefer a solo discovery, the peninsula offers different routes just follow the arrows “route de l’huître” or oyster route, which lead to the heart of the oyster farming sectors.
The traditional sea festival that animates the port of Pénerf, each year in August 2020, could not take place, due to current sanitary constraints, a must-see festivities at the port of Pénerf. In 2021, was held a reduce festival. Relaxation and discovery throughout the weekend with the arrival of old rigs in the port, a ceremony of tribute to the missing sailors, entertainment for children and adults, concerts, traditional dancers, sailors’ songs , exhibitions and demonstrations of bobbin lace, the meeting with regional writers, the presence of numerous associations … Not to mention the remarkable fireworks shot from the Pénerf river. Free.
Ah yes some of the recommended producers in the Pénerf peninsula, which I heard are good except the jardins d’hûitres which we have purchase which is excellent. Here are their contacts.
La Cotriade : Ets Philippe Clénet : https://lacotriade-penerf.com/
Ets Dufrêche : http://www.etablissement-dufreche.fr/contact-3
Jardins d’huîtres : Ets Eric LENORMAND : https://www.jardins-dhuitres.com/points-de-ventes
Some additional webpages on the idea of oysters in Pénerf and the Gulf of Morbihan:
The city of Damgan on its oyster merchants and the oyster: https://www.damgan.fr/vie-maritime/ostreiculture.html
The Damgan-La Roche Bernard tourist office on oysters of the Morbihan: https://www.damgan-larochebernard-tourisme.com/lieux-incontournables/specialites-gastronomiques-du-morbihan/lhuitre-du-morbihan-la-perle-fine/
There you go folks another dandy by the coast in my beautiful Morbihan, tops really you should take a look. And the oysters are excellent, we have enjoyed over the years in pretty quant Pénerf in the limits of Damgan! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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