Catch of the Day: Ethical Seafood in Paris

JG Photography/Eric D’Erouville

Until recently catch of the day seafood at your doorstep has been a privilege reserved for restaurateurs with delivery service or those who lived by the seaside, but the arrival of Poiscaille has changed all that. The startup works with professional fishers who use ethical techniques (such as line caught and cage fishing) for procuring high quality, seasonal seafood.

JG Photography

Poiscaille functions much like a CSA, a sort of farm share in which members pay to support local artisans in exchange for fresh, locally sourced produce. Instead of farmers, Poiscaille supports fishers with the help of their members, who sign up for regular deliveries (weekly, every two weeks, once a month) at prices ranging from 19,90 – 24,90 euro enrollment plans, depending on the number of deliveries received in a month. For residents of Paris and the Ile-de-France region, deliveries are made to a pickup up point free of charge (the site now offers a dozen pick up sites in Paris and nearby suburbs- with more locations to be added as the network grows) where they can be retrieved during that point’s business hours. Poiscaille also delivers to other parts of France, including Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Eric D’Erouville

Your weekly delivery varies depending on the season and availability. For picky pescatarians, Poiscaille gives the option of choosing the composition of your casier, or box, the night before it’s delivered. The choice is varied, with some examples including lobster, sea bass, mussels, scallops, clams, and even the rare delicacy that is sure to impress your friends: les pouces pieds. Known as goose neck barnacle, these little sea creatures resemble dinosaur claws and are a specialty from the rugged coasts of France.

Eric D’Erouville

If you have a fear of commitment, rest assured that Poiscaille is flexible and forgiving. Customers have up until 3 days before delivery to cancel, reschedule, or change the delivery address of their order. If you want to get your feet wet without signing up for regular delivery, you can try Poiscaille’s casier à l’essai (a test box) which is a one off order for 27.90 euro with no strings attached. As spring arrives in France, bringing with it baby greens and the season’s first asparagus and pommes de terres nouvelles it’s the perfect time to have your Poisson d’Avril brought to you in order to complete a simple, seasonal meal!

Related Links

• For socially responsible wine to pair with your fish, head to Les Petits Domaines.
• Go to Printemps du Goût for a spot of luxury food shopping in the sky for fine accompaniments to go along with your seafood.
• Check out Bon Appetit’s favourite classic French fish recipes.

Written by Emily Dilling for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.

WRITTEN BY

Emily Dilling

Emily Dilling is a France based writer and author of My Paris Market Cookbook: A Culinary Tour of French Flavors and Seasonal Recipes. In 2005 Emily moved to Paris from her native California and began exploring the cities markets, restaurants, and cafés. In 2010 she founded the blog Paris Paysanne, where she writes about her favorite addresses and artisans in the city. Emily currently lives in the Loir-et-Cher region of France, where she writes and works in the grapevines.