Their story begins in 1898 when, in the heart of the Marennes-Oléron pool, Henri Gillardeau first founded Maison Gillardeau. The business was built on a passion Henri possessed for oyster farming and a desire to share the wonders of this rich delicacy with others. Over the years, the business grew, gaining customers and expanding operations. On the foundation of this success, the first trucks were introduced and by 1928, Gillardeau oysters were being delivered to the Halles de Paris.
By 1978, the iconic Gillardeau oyster was born, the discovery of Gérard Gillardeau, the current head of Maison Gillardeau. The rest they say is history. To this day, La Gillardeau symbolizes quality and appearance; it is an oyster that’s rich in flavor as well as providing more meat than other oyster species. As a result, Gillardeau oysters are widely acclaimed among oyster lovers everywhere.
They’ve quickly become the true jewel of the French gastronomic heritage. The demand for these oysters has only continued to grow over the course of the last four generations. And today, these oysters can be found on menus in high-end hotels and fine dining restaurants all over the globe. For the past 100 years, Maison Gillardeau have continued to preserve their savoir-faire – you won’t find a more refined oyster anywhere else in the world.
In 2004, additional nursing parks were opened to increase production, ensuring that demand could be met. And in 2009, Gillardeau la Boutique was opened at the base of the Oleron Viaduc. Here, customers can purchase a range of gourmet products produced by local artisans renowned for their savoir-fare. Here you can also purchase a wide choice of daily-fresh Gillardeau oysters.
In 2014, laser branding was introduced. Only an authentic Gillardeau oyster bears the official logo of Maison Gillardeau. This demonstrates that your customers are consuming the genuine article and not some cheap imitation.