Along the Provençal Mediterranean coast, oursinades, sea urchin festivals, take place in January and February.
The name is derived from the French word “oursin,” meaning precisely sea urchin.
Along the Provençal Mediterranean coast, January and even more so February are the months when oursinades, the sea urchin festivals, take place. The name comes from the French word “oursin,” which means precisely the urchin. Another popular designation is châtaigne de mer, given the urchin’s distinct resemblance to the autumn chestnut.
The exterior of sea urchins consists of a shell bristling with spines; while inside is a heart of rare goodness. And because of the coral color, this product is referred to as “Mediterranean coral.”
The sea urchin is not fished: it is pulled off the rocks, usually with a knife, taking care not to damage either the shell or the rock on which the animal rests. Harvesting is allowed from November to April, and there is an individual daily maximum quantity that cannot be exceeded.
The regulations aim to conserve the species.
The oursinades of Fos-sur-Mer and Sausset-les-Pins are considered seasonal classics by lovers of this tender and tasty food.
But the most popular oursinades are those of Carry-le-Rouet, the coastal resort that as early as 1960 instituted “Sea Urchin Day” and around 1970 renamed February “Sea Urchin Month.”
But oursinades are first and foremost a festival, so there is no shortage of musical entertainment, dancing and craft stalls along with the urchins.
To find out the dates of the oursinades, click here.