Christianne at L’Oceane
…with Jean-Jacques, Christianne & Romain, thanks to Susan Gish who writes: I’m sharing this sole plaice with you so I won’t be shellfish. I don’t want to flounder around! There’s nothing fishy going on here, so no need to be crabby but I just can’t clam up about this.
My favorite at L’Oceane is their Coquilles St. Jacques. I buy it in the shell and j’adore the corail (the roe). We can’t get the corail in the US. For some strange reason the fishermen cut it off right at the boat and throw it back into the sea. Quel dommage, the best part.
Scallop season is November through April and the best are from Normandy says Jean-Jacques.
“Bonjour, Susan, ca va?” Romain smiles when he sees me, is super friendly to everyone and is also passionate about what he sells. He has worked at L’Oceane for 15 years, and lives in Pertuis with his family. He was studying agriculture and then dentistry in school. “Romain what is your favorite fish?” – “J’aime la lotte”. (monkfish). “What do you like about the Aix market?” – He answered in French, here is my translation: “…it is the most beautiful French market. It is sympatique, agreeable et dynamic.”
Christianne also gives me a whale of a welcome whenever I walk by. Her smile lights up like a deep sea fish. She owns L’Oceane with 
her husband, Jean-Jacques. He is the 3rd generation, carrying on the family tradition. His father was a fisherman and his grandfather too. You can see how proud he is and how much he loves his métier. Prior to opening the stall 25 years ago they worked in business. Gosh, they don’t look old enough! And what good shape they are in, probably from eating all that healthy fresh fish! Jean-Jacques and Christianne live and work right here in Aix, and this is the only market where they cast their line and they catch a lot of customers.
her husband, Jean-Jacques. He is the 3rd generation, carrying on the family tradition. His father was a fisherman and his grandfather too. You can see how proud he is and how much he loves his métier. Prior to opening the stall 25 years ago they worked in business. Gosh, they don’t look old enough! And what good shape they are in, probably from eating all that healthy fresh fish! Jean-Jacques and Christianne live and work right here in Aix, and this is the only market where they cast their line and they catch a lot of customers.Sam and I lucked out on a day that Christianne made salmon tartare, the staff were eating it between customers. Offered us a little piece to split with aioli on a piece of bread. It was heaven! Shhh! Don’t tell anyone!
Romain at the stall in Place Richelme
Romain told me it takes 3 hours each market morning to set up. They arrive a little after 6 in the morning and the market starts at 9.
Details: Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Place Richelme.
Follow them on Instagram: poissonnerie_oceane_marche_aix
Susan & Sam Gish
aixcentric 
Love your play on words!
Merci, Michéle! I’m not sure people really see all the puns in my articles. Glad to know you ‘caught’ them, haha!