PARIS NYE OYSTERS

[ffbyrne]

HI!

I will visiting Paris for five days over New Year. We are planning on spending NYE at the apartment we have rented by the Bastille (11). I would like to do oysters and champagne... I think (hope) that the Bastille market takes place on Thursday mornings, does anyone know if I will be able to get oysters here? Also I would like to visit the Baron Rouge at some point but will sadly not be able to go on Sunday after market, is it worth a visit during the week or is it really just a Sunday thing?

Merci en avance

[Delucacheesemonger]

Richard Lenoir market should certainly have oysters, booth named Jacky on the right side going away from the Bastille has a zillion of them usually as well as many other stands. If Baron Rouge near Place Aligrè is closed, try Jacques Melac on rue Leon Frot near Charonne metro for a wine bar.

[tmso]

Yes, there is a market on Bd Richard Lenoir on Thursday mornings, and there will be oyster vendors there without a doubt.

[PhilD]

IIRC Oysters are not sold "shucked" in Paris so I assume you need a good oyster knife. Am I correct or did I miss it because we always shuck our own?

[souphie]

Most oyster shops can open the oysters for you, for a small additional fee.

[f2dat06]

just about every place in Paris sells oysers on NYE from Monoprix on, you will have no problem finding them.

[RandyB]

The covered market at pl. d'Aligre is open every day but Monday. There are two oyster sellers there. One is right next to the north doors. The other is along an aisle on the east side. I prefer the latter, for no reason I can explain except I like the people and have gotten excellent oysters there, including the superb Gillardeau oysters. But of course, like everything, the "best" oysters are a matter of taste.

Some oyster sellers will shuck the oysters for you if you bring your own platter to take them away flat. There may be a small additional charge in a market, a larger one if you buy from the cart in front of a restaurant.

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of talk in the French press since last year about a serious disease killing off 80% of the young oyster crop. This means a lot to production but is supposedly not a danger to human consumption. I haven`t been in Paris since March, so I haven`t seen what affect this has had on the market place. There have also been stories of health problems with oysters from the bay of Arcachon, including attacks on scientists and laboratories that tested and failed the oysters.

[menton1]

A little dive of a place, Huitrerie Regis, in the 6th, is reputed to have the best oysters in Paris. Only 6 tables. I did hear, that they were closed "for renovations", so check if they have reopened. (Or are they ever going to reopen?)