Marenne

"These can be found at pretty much every oyster bar in France. They are the standard go-to, and it's a strong standard. The ones I've had have been a bit lean and green, more like an American oyster than their more pampered siblings in Marenne. Quality is remarkably consistent."

leangreenconsistent

"Really is hard to beat these. Many, I know, prefer Speciales, but I find their taste a little muddy. These fines de claires have such a precise and distinguished taste. And, if you're here in France, you can get them just about anywhere or anytime you want."

precisedistinguished

"Marenne oysters are renowned for their sweet, juicy flavor with a hint of dried fruit and a delicate mineral finish. Their taste is enhanced by the blue navicule algae in the local water."

sweetjuicydried fruitmineraldelicate

"Tasting excellent in Paris in April 2024. These were heavy for their size and quite full inside, with deep cups and a lot of fat and sweetness. Really good. What's interesting is that even though they are Pacific oysters, they have none of the cucumbery notes of West Coast oysters. Instead, they are intensely mineral on the finish–more like an East Coast oyster."

sweetfatmineralfull

"Since February 2009, Marennes Oléron Oysters have benefited from a P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) and the oysters finished in the Claires of the Marennes Oléron basin -imparted with the subtle flavors of the terroir."

subtleterroir

"The Fine de Claires which accomplishes a stay of several weeks out of basin is an small oyster with a sea savour quite marked. The Spéciale de Claires is preselected for its round and regular form and its thickness has a firmer flesh and a fine and balanced savour."

sea savourmarkedfirmfinebalanced