La Tremblade : between land, sea and estuary

Indian summer settles in Charente-Maritime. Far from the summer crowds, this time of year makes us want to get away from it all and enjoy the still pleasant temperatures. Nestled between Marennes and Royan , the charming little port of La Tremblade is one of the main oyster centers in the Marennes-Oléron basin. Here, whatever the weather, or the season, oysters have been pampered for generations. La Seudre , the marshes, the channel and the port of La Grève … La Tremblade enchants with its varied landscapes, its salty air, the sweetness of life that reigns there and its sense of simple pleasures.

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Land side or sea side, why choose?

Located on the Arvert peninsula , on the left bank of the Seudre estuary, facing Marennes and the island of Oléron, the small oyster city has been linked since 1972 by the Seudre viaduct which offers a sumptuous panorama of the Atlantic , the mouth of the river and its oyster beds. Head to the port of La Tremblade for an astonishing stroll along the water and a gourmet discovery of the estuary.

The Seudre viaduct

With its multicolored wooden cabins, its pontoons that jut out gently into the channel, the port of La Tremblade has an irresistible character through its originality. Rectilinear and perpendicular to the Seudre, it does not form a basin like the classic ports but rather a channel that stretches to the embarkation pier, gradually widening over about two kilometers , with piers on both banks. . Postcard landscape on the estuary, this channel constitutes the axis of life of the oyster port, known under the name of Chenal de La Tremblade, Grand Chenal, or "La Grève". It comes alive according to the tides with the merry comings and goings of the boats, these small oyster barges called here "plates" which rub shoulders with pretty small boats and beautiful pleasure boats ... Photogenic at will, this channel constitutes a place of the most authentic stroll in Charente-Maritime, with its quays strewn with piles of oyster shells , large black plastic pockets, lockers and fishing nets.

On the water as on the banks, this effervescence contrasts with the serenity of the natural spaces and the surrounding marshes reconverted into "clears", places of refining for the oysters of the basin of Marennes-Oléron. These unique landscapes, between land and sea , largely contribute to the picturesque charm of this oyster port which lives to the rhythm of the tides. All around, these large mudflats delight the birds that live together in the estuary: herons, gulls, little egrets, knights or spoonbills. This is to tell you the treasure of biodiversity that nestles there.

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First oyster port in France

Ahead of Brittany and the Arcachon basin, the Marennes-Oléron basin is the leading oyster producer in France. The port of La Tremblade is home to nearly a hundred farms, offering multiple sites suitable for oyster farming. With courage and humility, women and men have been able to observe, understand and apprehend this very special environment to make shellfish farming one of the main activities of the Seudre estuary . Refined in "claire" rich in plankton, the Marennes oyster is distinguished by its green color on contact with algae, the blue navicle, and by its power in the mouth.

In the ^17th century the prosperity of Tremblade was based primarily on its port and salt marshes. However, the famous green oysters from the “Isles d'Arvert ” were already renowned dishes, prized by King Louis XIV and the French bourgeoisie.

To find out more about the Marennes-Oléron oyster basin, don't hesitate to visit the La Tremblade Maritime Museum , located on Boulevard Roger Letelié. From its history to the work of the oyster farmer, the oyster will have no more secrets for you!

The Good Idea: Another option for discovering these oyster-farming landscapes, you can embark at the pier near the jetty for a sea trip to the island of Oléron, the island of Aix, Fort Boyard with the Alizé Cruises .

The pier at the end of the channel

Unmissable tasting of oysters and shellfish!

Along the quay, a multitude of traditional restaurants specializing in seafood and fish await you for a gourmet break . For lunch, dinner, or to enjoy at any time of the day, take a front row seat with the families of oyster farmers , facing the ball of the boats and the huts used for stripping and sorting operations. On the menu: oysters of course… fine clear , special , shoots in clear , number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 as you wish.

Clams, cockles, clams, mussels, crabs, lobsters and knives complete the cards begin to honor the quality of the jewels of the seas with ease. Accompanied by buttered bread and a glass of chilled white wine to toast, it's paradise! You will appreciate the summer entertainment as much as the sweetness of life that reigns here out of season. The sense of hospitality of Trembladais and Trembladaises is not a legend. If you want to feast at home, most producers offer take -out seafood . Freshness guaranteed!

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Enjoy the changing lights and the compositions of seascapes . Breathe at the top of your lungs in the iodized air protected from the spray. Let yourself be carried away by the unique atmosphere offered by Tremblade in the fall !