Every winter, in the heart of the 18th arrondissement, a sea breeze blows into Paris: it’s the Scallop Festival in Montmartre. Organized for almost twenty years, this event celebrates this exceptional product from the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, highly prized for its freshness, delicate texture, and marine flavors.
The traditional Scallop Festival returns to Montmartre
For its 2026 edition, the event will take place over a full weekend, from Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, January 25, on the Place des Abbesses. This is where Breton producers, fishermen, and artisans set up their stalls to offer fresh scallops, fish, shellfish, and other seafood specialties straight from Brittany.
The French consume 50,000 tons of this little underwater treasure every year (or 4.85 kg per second), which is to say that scallops are immensely popular. The festival dedicated to them logically attracts a host of Montmartrois and foodies from all walks of life each time it is held.
The culinary festival is not only an opportunity to savor this jewel of French gastronomy: it also allows visitors to meet professionals in the field, discuss their practices and expertise with them, and better understand the rules that govern sustainable scallop fishing today.
The atmosphere surrounding this gourmet festival has a Breton feel to it: musical entertainment, folk dancing, bagadoù and Celtic tunes help transform Montmartre into a real little seaside village. Whether you’re a seafood lover, curious to discover an exceptional product, or simply looking for a fun outing in the middle of January, this free festival attracts many visitors every year! So let’s meet there!
📍 Location: Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques – Place des Abbesses, 75018
📆 Dates: January 24 and 25, 2026