Where can you find fresh fish?

That’s a question I’m often asked.

It might seem obvious when you’re by the sea, but it’s really not easy to buy fresh fish on the French Riviera!

First of all, because of persistent overfishing and the fragility of marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Most stocks remain overexploited, with 75% of fish populations still affected by overfishing.

Conservation efforts (marine protected areas, reduced fishing effort) are starting to pay off, but their impact remains limited, and the average size of certain fish, such as sardines, has decreased significantly over the past ten years.

In summary, the Mediterranean is home to a rich but highly vulnerable marine biodiversity, with slow progress and major challenges ahead in the coming years if we want to continue eating fish!

It is in this context that we in Le Brusc place great importance on protecting the lagoon and the Gaou Peninsula, designated as a Natura 2000 site, which serve as a refuge for seagrass and a nursery for numerous species of whitefish, including sea bream, sea bass, and sars…

Further offshore, there are also blue (pelagic) fish such as sardines, bluefin tuna, and swordfish.

You can find “rockfish or bottom-dwelling fish”—such as scorpionfish, John Dory, and red mullet—which are often used in bouillabaisse.

For a good “bouille,” let’s not forget the small fish for the soup, such as wrasse, serran, and Roucaou…

Let’s finish with new species that have become established over the past few decades due to the warming of the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, such as the barracuda, now very common along our coasts.

Furthermore, due to the dwindling fish stocks, there are now only a handful of professional fishermen left in the village, and their catch is often reserved in advance by restaurant owners!

Nevertheless, you can sometimes buy fish early on Thursday mornings at the village entrance, directly from the fisherman, if the catch has been good and the weather favorable…

Another option is at the Port de la Coudoulière, where a very efficient fisherman sells his catch directly from a blue stand. You’ll often find bluefin tuna and pink sea bream there (except on Mondays and Wednesdays).

Finally, there are more professional fishermen in Sanary, and they set up stalls to sell their catch along the quay, also quite early in the morning (often around 10:00 a.m.). Avoid Wednesdays, as that’s market day!

Otherwise, there are always fishmongers open all week near the market…

Regardless of the species you choose or where you buy it, prices will always be around €30 per kilo.

The last option for getting fresh fish is aquaculture. Tamaris Bay (La Seyne-sur-Mer) is the heart of Toulon’s aquaculture industry, with offshore farms primarily producing sea bass and sea bream.

They prioritize low stocking densities and controlled feeding, which enhances the quality of the fish and minimizes the impact on the ecosystem.

Here too, the produce is sold through short supply chains, directly to fishmongers, restaurants, and a few hypermarkets in the region (notably Auchan in La Seyne), ensuring freshness and traceability.

In addition to fish, Toulon Harbor is also known for its shellfish farming (mussels), all sold locally! Try them, for example, at Riton in front of Cros Beach, all-you-can-eat for €19.90 with fries and various sauces…