Halles de Merville

From Tuesday through Sunday morning, Halles de Merville comes alive with 70 local vendors and producers. Wandering among the stalls takes you on a culinary journey through the flavors of Morbihan and southern Brittany. Here, the sea takes center stage.

In the heart of the city, fishmongers lay out the day’s catch from France’s fifth-largest fishing port. This is also the perfect place to discover an authentic cotriade, the traditional stew of Morbihan’s fishing communities. Several kinds of fish are simmered together in a pot with potatoes and onions.

Nearby, oysters from the Étel ria are farmed just 25 kilometers (16 miles) away in a remarkable tidal lagoon, bringing the fresh, briny taste of the sea straight to the market. From inland comes another regional specialty: authentic andouille from Guémené-sur-Scorff, recognizable by its dark casing and distinctive layers of pork intestine. Those with a sweet tooth will find plenty to enjoy as well.

Far breton, a traditional custard cake baked with prunes, crisp salted-butter kouign-amann, and buckwheat galettes pair beautifully with a glass of bottled Cornouaille cider or traditional chouchen. Rest assured, there’s something here to satisfy every palate.