It's autumn and the season of harvest and along the glorious sweeping Normandy coastline attention once again turns to the sea. The annual Scallops and Seafood Festival takes over the small town of Villers-sur-Mer, on the Normandy coast between Deauville and Cabourg. 18 tons of scallops or coquilles St-Jacques are consumed over the weekend of October 27th and 28th, either sold at the stands that grown under the weight of the harvest, or at restaurants and demonstrations.
A separate marquee for demonstrations and tastings sees chefs conjuring up all sorts of fishy feasts like scallops with couscous, an apricot confit and Moroccan spices over both days. There's a gastronomic market so you can stock up on chestnuts, pate, foie gras, bread, cheese and more.
There's an exhibition on Portugal and street music from Portuguese bands. A fado concert is held while sea shanties are sung by different fishermen's choirs. Processions are part and parcel of French food festivals and you can see members of the different confreries (brotherhoods), particularly, of course, the Chevaliers de la Coquille St Jacques, with their fellows, the Chevaliers du Pont L'Evêque who celebrate the local cheese made in and around Pont l'Evêque, south east of Deauville.
Practical Information
The Festival runs from Saturday October 27th to Sunday 28th; it's free and takes place from 10am to 6pm.
More information from Villers Tourist Office