2027

In France, New Year celebrations are known as Le Reveillon de St Sylvestre. The evening may be shared between friends with a special meal which may consist of champagne, oysters, turkey, smoked salmon , foie gras, or some such special delicacy. As in many cities all over the world, in Paris a firework display is held on the Champs Elysée in Paris. On New Years Day itself, a meal is shared 'en famille.' This is the time that we all wish each other 'Bonne Année, and thank people who have helped us over the year, by giving them a bonus known as 'les étrennes.' Never wish someone 'Bonne Année before then , for it brings bad luck!

Today is the 1st of January, and no doubt everyone is wondering what the new year will bring. However, for one group of people, it has already brought grim news. New Year is one of the busiest times of the year for the oyster industry which is centred on the Etang de Thau. In a recent blog, I showed how they have been busily preparing for this busy season all month; pulling the oysters out; cleaning them; and then putting them back in the water in cages or mesh sacks, to await sale. As my blog readers will already know, as Christmas was drawing near, we had days and days of unprecedented rain. Drains overflowed, and rivers raged all over the department. Some places even experienced flooding. By Christmas day, the rains had eased, and amongst other delicacies, many families bought and consumed oysters as usual. However, trouble was brewing.

All during the Christmas period, the excess rain fall that we had experienced was flowing via storm drains, and smaller streams into the rivers. One of these major rivers is the River Hérault, which not only flows into the sea at Grau d"Agde, it feeds the canal, and thereby excess water will have flowed into the Etang de Thau as well. Much of this excess water will have come from drains and sewage storage tanks, and consequently the waters of the Thau have become contaminated. On 30th December , the local authority issued a decree forbidding the sale of oysters for the next 28 days . They carry the risk of norovirus, or gastro enteritis. And so, in one fell swoop the annual boom in sales for the ostréiculteurs ( oyster growers) of the Thau was ruined.

But the misfortune of some, will have brought better sales for oyster growers in Arcachon in the west of France, or in Cancale on the north coast, for people will always want to eat oysters at New Year. We once met a man who was eating oysters at Bouzigues, who swore by the oysters of Arcachon, for every oyster, he told us, has its own particular taste. 'Chacun a son goût ' as they say. Anyway, A Happy new Year to you all.