Where to buy fresh fish in Normandy?

Updated on 16 Feb 2025

Reading time: 4 min.

Normandy is France’s second sea fishing region and is even first for shellfish. This status is due not only to its 600 km of coastline, but also to its 2,000 fishermen and its fleet of 600 boats. Follow us to the quaysides of Normandy’s fishing ports in search of the freshest fish, shellfish and seafood.

What kind of fish and what seafood can you find in Normandy?

Normandy’s star seafood products include sea bass and lobster from the Cotentin, mackerel from Trouville, whelk from Granville, herring from Fécamp and scallops from Dieppe or Port-en-Bessin. Names that are sure to ring a bell. But Normandy’s fishing is not limited to these famous products.

Mackerel, dogfish, gilthead, whiting, pout, herring, sole, plaice and ray are among the most commonly caught fish. They include some of the most sought-after species, as well as others that are less expensive (because they are less sought-after).

Then there’s the list of seafood that has found the ideal place to thrive on the Normandy coast and seabed: the famous scallop, of course, but also whelks, mussels, almonds, scallops and prawns. Not forgetting shellfish farming, with oysters, clams and cockles. In fact, 2 out of 3 shellfish sold in France come from Normandy.

Good to know: for local and sustainable fishing, don’t hesitate to try lesser-known fish such as pout, red gurnard, gilthead bream, dogfish (guaranteed boneless) or conger eel.

They can be steamed, grilled or barbecued, in bouillon, in papillotes or pan-fried (with butter, from Normandy, of course!), depending on the fish, but also on your habits and preferences.

Normandy’s lively fishing ports

Normandy alone has 14 ports and 6 auctions (criées in French): Granville, Cherbourg, Grandcamp-Maisy, Port-en-Bessin (the leading small-scale fishing port in Normandy, where more than 30 species of fish and shellfish are landed every day), Fécamp and Dieppe, Fance’s scallop capital. These hubs sell seafood products to professionals.

There are a number of options if you would like to buy some fresh fish in Normandy:

At fish markets in coastal towns

Port-en-Bessin Huppain – Halle à marée, 2 quai Letourneur, Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 12.30pm and in the afternoon depending on arrivals.
Courseulles-sur-Mer – Fish market from 8am to 1pm every day of the year and all day in summer, Quai des Alliés.
Ouistreham – Fish market – every morning from 8am to 1pm – Port of Ouistreham Riva-Bella
Dives-sur-Mer – Fish market – every morning from 8.30am to 12.30pm
Honfleur – Fish market from Thursday morning to Sunday morning, transit pier
Grandcamp-Maisy – Fish market, Avenue Émile Damecour – every morning from 8am to 12pm
Trouville-sur-Mer – Fish market – every day of the year from 9am to 7pm
Dieppe – Quai Trudaine and Quai Henri IV Fish Markets – Tuesday to Saturday (approx. 7.30am to 1pm)
Le Tréport – Tuesday and Saturday morning fish market, Place de la Poissonnerie
Le Havre – Fish market, Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm, rue Général Faidherbe