Taste the sardine, the emblem of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie!
It’s a Vendée tradition that has been perpetuated in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie since 1875. The little blue fish is the pride of its inhabitants. Take part in the
France’s leading sardine port
Every year, almost 200 tonnes of sardines are unloaded from boats in the port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Here, there’s only one step from sea to plate. Locals, tourists and fans of the little blue fish come in droves to wait for the fishermen. Come and taste it from spring to autumn. At the fish auction, in restaurants, at fishmongers’ or directly when the small trawlers arrive on the quayside, buyers flock to this treasure that delights the taste buds.
Sardines: grilled or raw
It’s part of Vendée’s gastronomic heritage. But what makes the Saint-Gilles sardine so famous? It’s obviously its taste, but also its size, neither small nor large. It can be cooked on the barbecue or a la plancha. Some locals prefer it raw…
One of the best recipes is to enjoy them as simply as possible. Grilled sardines are best served with potatoes, steamed or deep-fried. Add a dash of salt, bread and butter… A real delight!
A little history
As the sardine capital of France, the seaside town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie has been perpetuating this tradition for over 300 years. Historically, it was the Moors who introduced a straight-net fishing technique in the 17th century.
Today, pelagic fishing allows fish to be caught using a depth sounder to locate them and allow other species to escape.
