Stars in your eyes for an oyster shell. In Ostréapolis, the mollusk found its place in the hearts of children, thanks to a creative workshop around its shell. “Even if we do a manual workshop, we explain from the start that an animal exists inside,” explains Morgane, cultural mediator from Ostréapolis. The concept seems to have found its audience. The activity is sold out, so much so that Morgane is forced to refuse participants who come without reservation.
However, this workshop is not the main attraction of the center. A few meters away, around ten visitors push the wooden doors of the permanent exhibition. Inside, they see, touch and interact with the seafood. “It’s educational and it’s not just about oysters. We learn a lot about biodiversity and the water cycle, which interests the children a lot,” describes Noémie, who came from the Vosges with her son Nino, aged 7.
“Homogeneous attendance”
Inaugurated in February 2024, Ostréapolis seems to have found its cruising speed. “During this gloomy summer, tourists favored indoor activities. We had a great season, with even attendance, and a real peak in August,” estimates Amélie Guérard, manager of the Ostréapolis site, without providing exact attendance figures. When presented to the press, the center hoped for 50,000 annual visitors.
“The permanent exhibition is very popular with families. Most visitors enter thinking they know the oyster, and leave having learned something,” explains the manager, who designed the exhibition for “all audiences”. To design the educational modules, she called on local oyster farmers. “Le Tour-du-Parc is the oldest oyster farming commune in the Gulf of Morbihan. It was logical to rely on this know-how,” adds Amélie Guérard. Beyond the exhibition, the store is also integrated into the territory, with 60% of the products coming from Brittany, half of which come from Morbihan.
Objective 2025: promote education and research
After this success, the center is already working on its next temporary exhibition, scheduled for April 2025, according to Amélie Guérard. Ultimately, the manager wishes to perpetuate the link between the territory and Ostréapolis. “We welcome students from the Redon hotel high school in November for a culinary demonstration on oysters. We also welcomed the school officials of the district, to present to them our offers of visit,” she adds.
In the coming months, Ostréapolis could even become an analysis center. Equipped with a research center awaiting equipment, the center is already in collaboration with a doctoral student in the completion of his thesis. “The long-term goal is that researchers working in the surrounding area can carry out analyzes directly in this laboratory,” explains Amélie Guérard. With nearly 120 active oyster farmers, the Gulf of Morbihan is a gold mine for scientists.
Practical
Ostréapolis, open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on public holidays. Full visit prices: Adult €10/Child €8/Reduced price €9
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