parc-huitres-chatelaillon-tourism-agency-storytellers-14

Châtel with kids: try Terra Aventura!

Today, we’re taking to the sea! Launch your application, screw on the caps and discover Châtel with the kids by the sea. The aim is to unravel the mysteries of the Boucholeurs while having fun at the same time. The result: a gourmet treasure hunt and a poï’z who’s not afraid to speak his mind. Right, Zéfaim?

In a nutshell

🏰 Thematics: L’eau à la Bouche

🎨 Poï’z: Zéfaim

📏 Distance: 3 km

⌚️ Duration: 1h

⚔️ Difficulty: ⭐️ ⭐️

🗺️ Terrain: ⭐️

📍 C ity: Châtelaillon-Plage

Step 1

Download the application! 📥

And it couldn’t be easier. Go to the Terra Aventura website and follow the instructions. And off you go!

Did you know?

You can also print out your route sheet directly from the website or from your local tourist office.

Step 2

Ask the locals for the recipe!

By the way, how do you make mussel éclade?

It couldn’t be easier! Once you’re in Châtel with the kids, you’ll need 3 kg of shellfish, a large plank of wood, pine needles and a fire (keep the curious away). The mussels are placed in a spiral shape, tightly packed on their edges, before being covered with pine needles to allow them to steam. Ember, friends and white wine (for grown-ups): the éclade is complete!

Step 3

Once upon a time...

🧭 N46° 03.241′ / W001° 05.343′

Shellfish farming* is quite a story! And it always begins with the tide, the daily coming and going of the sea as it moves in and out of the beach. Once it’s gone, it leaves behind a whole world of shellfish and crustaceans to delight the children of Châtel. A few pedal strokes and you’re on the beach for a closer look.

Pssst: Shore fishing is regulated in Châtelaillon. There are a few simple rules to follow to preserve the environment, such as releasing your catch if it’s not big enough. Ask for your free rule at the Office!

parc-huitres-chatelaillon-tourisme-agence-les-conteurs-67

parc-huitres-chatelaillon-tourisme-agence-les-conteurs-109

* Zéfaim’s info: Conchyliculture refers to shellfish farming. It includes oyster farming, for oysters, and mussel farming, for mussels. Drive to the Marais d’Yves nature reserve for a view of the mussel beds and bouchots.

Step 4

Getting into bouchot

🧭 N46° 03.150′ / W001° 05.445′

We pass the second under a pretty spring sun, heading for Les Boucholeurs to discover the famous bouchots, the same ones that gave the place its name. It’s impossible to miss these long rows of neatly aligned wooden stakes. The village’s signature!

Zéfaim’s tip: The height of the bouchots prevents the crabs from eating the young mussels as an aperitif. Clever!

parc-huitres-chatelaillon-tourism-agency-storytellers-88

Once the mussels have grown, it’s all in the bag. Or rather the bags, which are placed on metal tables at sea, before being refined in the claires.

Claires? These are shallow basins in which the mussels continue to grow and take on all their flavor…

Step 5

Leave with the day's catch!

That’s not all, but we’ve got a mussel éclade on the stove! For unbeatable freshness and great advice, we choose to buy them direct from the producer.

They make a big deal of it:

Entreprise Prévost-Chollet
43 Avenue André Dulin, Les Boucholeurs, 17340 Yves
05 46 56 20 06

www.huitre-prevost-chollet.fr

Coopérative Conchylicole des Boucholeurs

Ambiance Cabane
8 Rue de l’Océan, Les Boucholeurs, 17340 Yves
06 84 62 07 97

www.lambiancecabane.fr

Pearly flavours
34 rue du Port, Les Boucholeurs, 17340 Yves
06 74 59 15 47

www.huitres-saveursnacrees.fr

Step 6

Discover the cache!

You’re just one shell away from your mussel éclade (and your next Poï’z). Finish your tour outside Châtel with the kids before savouring your well-deserved treasure of the day. Bon appétit!