OUISTREHAM Ft. Funny Fish
Date of visit – 22nd October 2025
IF YOU LOVE FRESH SEAFOOD – come to Normandy. Brittany, famous like Normandy, France, are synonymous with raising children to eat well, eat oysters. If you don’t believe me, see it for yourself. Take a look at a French school child’s menu in this reason to understand.
Where it’s the dream of many lovers of seafood – of shellfish and perhaps, simply oysters – to visit Brittany or in my case, Normandie, France, I quite fancied avoiding any tours. Perhaps even try oyster farming on a, well, an oyster farm.
So on the overnight ferry I popped from Portsmouth to Oistreham in Normandy, France. No, I hadn’t heard of it either (Ouistreham that is) but then Normandy is big and there are many place in Normandie to visit. If not just eat to their famous four cheeses that start but don’t end with Camembert. Other soft but not as creamy characters include Livarot. The heart shaped bonbon de Neufchâtel attracts the eye and makes a lovely cadeaux while Pont Lévêque formerly known as “l’angelot” is a high fat dairy devotee. (Yes that’s four cheeses. I double-checked).
More on dairy in Normandie shortly. Back to oysters!
The anatomy of an oyster is not something I looked into in England as, although they are a treat to eat, for myself, I rarely do. They’re expensive or a messy, an accident prone fanfare to shuck without the appropriate tool. I also feel that they are to be savoured and so, when in France that is exactly what I plan to do: savour. Which is a way of life, I suspect, not only translates in the way the French like to eat.
Funny Fish in Ouistreham delights with another frenzy of fours and this time it’s at the oyster bar which is here.
There are four types to choose from. Naturally, I try them all (in the image of the oysters above). My oyster flavour bias goes to the creamy; sweet, slightly saline oyster. Papillon oyster (pictured but labelled incorrectly, due to lack of labels, as I was told) along with the Asnelles no. 3 oyster hit the spot. A single mouth full of three divinely interwoven tastes.
Here’s the menu for funny fish in Ouistreham with the reasonable prices. Not pictured but indeed present are the lovely staff who know and chat to all the locals that frequent to purchase their seafood for the day.
Would I recommend Funny Fish in Ouistreham, Normandy?
Is Ouistreham worth visiting?
Normandy has its unique charm; rooted in historic sites, Gothic and Medieval architecture. Walk welcoming: not only for the countrysides; a coastline, where soaking in simples significances is encouraged. As is reflection, on what cannot be seen, in the distance.
World class gastronomy can’t be faked. Deeply tied to real French resilience, their fight for freedom. Time doesn’t stand still, however, in spite of profound historical significances, stemming from World War II. It keeps moving with the waves; calmly, throughout the day, with a smile, a “Bonjour!”
With many places, such as Mont-Saint-Michel , Rouen, Dieppe, Caen etc to visit, is there any point to add Ouistreham to your travel itinerary?
Large, historically significant regions of France, possess City pockets from different jackets, that all fashionably fit a traveller’s itinerary. There’s no saying one town or City in the same region, will offer a better experience than another.
In other words, visit Ouistreham. Especially if you are an oyster lover, a shellfish lover or its your first time outside of Paris. Any Francophile, considering visiting parts of France that aren’t Paris, should visit the Northwestern region of Normandy.
The best seafood and cheese in France
Presumably taking pleasure in eating food comes naturally to you, as you’ve read this far. Seafood and cheese, from markets, places locals buy produce – not just restaurants – might have you changing your return flight. Or cancelling it, altogether.
I didn’t imagine to eat the best crab of my life in Normandy but I did. The meatiest, head fat laden crab I ever had. Not to gate keep but I do believe it need its own article. This one is dedicated to the best oysters in Normandy.
Overall shellfish in Normandy France Ouistreham
Taste: 8/10
Service: 7.2/10
Value for Money: 8.5/10
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