History and Traditions

As far back as ancient times, oysters from the Atlantic coast were transported at great expense to grace the banquet tables of wealthy Roman families.
From the mid-19th century onwards, Portuguese cupped oysters colonised the basin, replacing the native flat oysters...

When disease decimated them in turn, they were replaced by Japanese oysters, which found ideal growing conditions in the basin.

High-quality oyster spat, ideal conditions and generations of expertise are what give Marennes Oléron oysters, and especially Yves PAPIN oysters, their quality and reputation.

The Papin family has been farming oysters since 1906.

Edouard started the business, followed by Emile.

In the 1960s, Yves took over, modernising and developing the farm. He was the first oyster farmer to sell his oysters directly at a market: the Victor Hugo market in Angoulême. He was also one of the first oyster farmers from Charente to grow oysters in Normandy.

In 2003, his daughter Emmanuelle Papin followed in his footsteps and joined her father in the business.