Festival of the Scallop and Seafood

The Scallop in the Spotlight

Every year in October, the port of Ouistreham Riva-Bella hosts the Festival of the Scallop and Seafood, an unmissable gastronomic event in the Calvados region. This event celebrates the opening of the scallop season, an emblem of Norman fishing, and highlights all seafood products: fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and local specialties.

The Fish Market and Producers

The heart of the festival is the Fish Market, where visitors can buy fresh scallops, as well as all sorts of fish and seafood directly from local fishermen and producers. Producers from all over Normandy and beyond are proud to share their expertise and showcase their specialties.

Entertainment and Culinary Demonstrations

The festival offers a rich program of entertainment: culinary demonstrations by renowned chefs daily at 3 PM and 4:30 PM, concerts, exhibitions, children's entertainment with games and pony rides, and inductions into various Norman gastronomic brotherhoods. The producers' and artisans' village complements the offerings with tastings of local products.

An Event Rooted in Norman Maritime Heritage

The Festival of the Scallop is part of the maritime tradition of Ouistreham Riva-Bella, a historic fishing port and the terminal for Brittany Ferries connecting France to England. The event attracts nearly 5,000 visitors each year and helps promote the maritime and gastronomic heritage of Calvados.