A Quiet Oyster Moment in Paris: Huîtrerie Régis Review
Over ten years ago, while taking the afternoon ferry to Fishers Island, NY, I finished Meet Paris Oyster, a charming little book by Mireille Guiliano.
In it, she shares how she became enchanted by a small oyster bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés called Huîtrerie Régis. Named after its original owner, Régis was described as a kind of Parisian oyster sanctuary: humble, pristine, and wholly devoted to the pleasure of a dozen (or two) bivalves.
Back then, I dropped a pin on Google Maps and made a mental note: One day.
And then, suddenly, it was that day.
I’d just flown into Paris from Madrid on a sunny morning, en route to Saint-Malo for an oyster farm visit. With a slim window before my train at Montparnasse, I made a beeline from Orly Airport to Huîtrerie Régis. The metro was easy to navigate—Line 14 to Châtelet, then a quick switch to Line 4 toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés. From there, it’s a short four-minute walk to the bar.
I arrived just after noon. It was quiet, just me and another couple reviewing the menu over glasses of white wine. I was seated directly in front of the oyster bar, facing shelves of wine and the day’s offerings. Two people were working: one host and one oyster shucker. A couple of sidewalk tables outside looked inviting, but I opted to stay indoors, shielded from foot traffic and fully focused on the experience.
Oyster shucker at Huîtrerie Régis, Paris
In 2019, Régis retired and sold the business to new owners. Although I never visited during his ownership, the spirit of the place seems very much intact—simple, focused, and unbothered by trends. I passed on the enticing wine list, part discipline, part fear of missing my train later, and just ordered a small platter: a dozen oysters featuring three varieties and four boiled shrimp, served with classic French bread and butter for €49. Plus a bottle of the world’s fanciest sparkling water for €8 (it was good).
As the oyster shucker worked on the ticket head of mine, I stood up to take some photos. He graciously posed. Not his first rodeo!
Huîtrerie Régis appeared to carry only a few brands: Cadoret, Poget, and Yves Papin, based on a small supplier map found in the back of the menu. That day’s oysters included:
Fines de claires, No. 3 from Yves Papin of Marennes Oléron ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spéciales de claires, No. 3 from Yves Papin of Marennes Oléron ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spéciales Perle Noire (Black Pearl), No. 3 from Cadoret, raised in Brittany and finished in the Belon River ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
True to French oyster etiquette, the adductor muscle was left attached to the bottom shell. The oyster fork had a fairly sharp edge, which allowed me to separate the flesh from the shell fairly easily and elegantly.
Oyster platter with shrimps at Huîtrerie Régis, Paris
The Spéciales were my favorite: pillowy, rich in umami, and sweet, with a pleasant, crisp finish. The Fines were predictably clean and delicate, but what stood out most was the shucking: careful and precise. There’s nothing worse than seeing a fragile Fine oyster torn to shreds. These were pretty much flawless.
I was happy to see the Perle Noire again. I’d tasted them before with the grower, Jean-Jacques Cadoret at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona a few years ago, and revisiting them here in a quieter, more intimate setting added a layer of appreciation. I even interviewed Jean-Jacques in 2020 about oysters in France, which yielded a fascinating talk that’s still worth a watch.
After the oysters, I finished with the shrimp—sweet, firm, and perfectly cooked. They came neatly arranged in the center of the platter. The host offered mayonnaise, which I politely declined. Tempting, but I wanted to taste them unadorned.
I did, however, indulge in a few drops of Bouteville vinegar using a small pipette. It was far more refined than the usual eyedropper. The bottle was elegant, too. As for the flavor? A revelation!! It’s a perfect replacement for mignonette, which really appeals to my lazy side. I made a note to look for it at El Corte Inglés or somewhere in Madrid before heading back to NYC.
The couple seated behind me, speaking Mandarin to each other, chatted opinionatedly about the oysters. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop. I considered offering my thoughts but decided to let them enjoy their own quiet discovery. 😅
I’m glad I gave myself extra time to find and board my train at Montparnasse. Google Maps had confidently estimated a 20-minute walk to the platform (it was more like 30.) I arrived winded, but with no regrets. Having finally experienced Huîtrerie Régis, I can confidently recommend this little gem to friends seeking a peaceful, quintessential Parisian oyster experience. Of course, there are a few other huitreries in the area with broader menus that I’d love to try next time, but Régis felt like the perfect place to begin.
