At the heart of the largest oyster refining marsh in Europe, the Cité de l'Huître plunges you into the world of this shellfish, oyster farming, its men and their history through themed huts and animations.
The Oyster City: Located in an exceptional environment between the oyster beds, river and ocean, on the banks
of the Seudre, the City of the Oyster opens the doors to a world apart, with its rhythms and its tides,
to understand the men and women who experience it.
Did you know that it takes 3 years to make an oyster? That the refining marsh is a speciality in Charente
Maritime? And that opening oysters isn't dangerous? Alongside our facilitators, discover all
the secrets of the oyster and the Seudre marsh, its oyster farmers, their profession and their history.
Activities for families “Pearl hunters – Children’s activities – Sea trip – Tasting experience”
of the Seudre, the City of the Oyster opens the doors to a world apart, with its rhythms and its tides,
to understand the men and women who experience it.
Did you know that it takes 3 years to make an oyster? That the refining marsh is a speciality in Charente
Maritime? And that opening oysters isn't dangerous? Alongside our facilitators, discover all
the secrets of the oyster and the Seudre marsh, its oyster farmers, their profession and their history.
Activities for families “Pearl hunters – Children’s activities – Sea trip – Tasting experience”
Services for cyclists
Rack in front of the site, pump and repair kit at reception, possibility of asking to recharge electric bike batteries and fill water bottles.
Services for children
Game booklets, shell painting, children's menu at the restaurant
Activities on site
- Permanent exhibition
- Concert
- Animation
- Product tasting
Rankings & Labels
- Family plus
- Recommended in bad weather
- Tourism Quality ™
- Recommended in hot weather
Location details
- In the countryside
- On the outskirts of the city
- At the water's edge
- Path/cycle path less than 500 m
- 20 – 30 min from a SNCF train station by car
Along the Chenal de la Cayenne, in Marennes.
Themes:
Costumed
Customers
- School groups welcome
- Children from 3 to 5 years old
- Reception of summer camps
- Children from 6 to 12 years old
- Cycle 4: college (5th, 4th, 3rd)
- Young people from 13 to 17 years old
- Cycle 3: college (6th)
- Cycle 3: elementary school (CM1, CM2)
- Special family with children
- Cycle 1: nursery school (PS, MS, GS)
- Cycle 2: elementary school (CP, CE1, CE2)
- Special rate for large families
- Special rate for disabled people
- Special rate for job seekers
- High school
- Groups welcome
- Special children
- Business / incentive groups welcome
- Higher Education
- Special rate for students
Language(s) of the visit
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
- Permanent individual guided tours
Group visit services
- Guided group tours on request
Opening
From 05/04 to 11/11/2025
every day from 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Easter and All Saints' Day holidays (all zones): 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Summer holidays: 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Outside school holidays: 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday except school holidays.
every day from 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Easter and All Saints' Day holidays (all zones): 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Summer holidays: 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Outside school holidays: 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday except school holidays.
Pricing
| Pricing | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 10 € | Not disclosed |
| Reduced price | 8 € | Not disclosed |
| Kids | 6 € | Not disclosed |
| Student fee | 8 € | Not disclosed |
| Jobseeker | 8 € | Not disclosed |
| Big family | 26 € | Not disclosed |
| Disabled | 8 € | Not disclosed |
| Adult group | 8 € | 18 € |
| Children group | 4 € | 8 € |
3€ supplement for bike rental
Payment method
Services
Equipment
Services
Home animals
Accessibility
SERVICES
- Access for self-propelled wheelchairs
- Reserved place for people with reduced mobility
- WC + grab bar + circulation space
- Site, building fully accessible
- Possibility to drop someone off in front of the site
- Customer service includes the welcome of people with disabilities.
- Presence of seating or sit-stand areas
LABELS
- Tourism and Handicap brand - mental disability
- Tourism and Handicap brand - motor impairment
From 10 € / adult