Nestled on the rugged coast of Brittany, the fishing town of Concarneau has long been famous for its maritime heritage, seafood markets and traditional French canneries. Among the oldest and most respected names in the region is Conserverie Courtin, a family-run business that has been preserving the authentic flavours of Brittany since 1893.
Founded by Achille and Camille Courtin, Conserverie Courtin is recognised as the oldest cannery in Concarneau and one of the oldest in Brittany. Over more than a century, the company has become an integral part of the region’s gastronomic identity, producing artisan seafood specialities using traditional recipes that have remained largely unchanged for generations.
Conserverie Courtin is especially renowned for its famous scallop confit, or confit de noix de Saint-Jacques, a true Breton delicacy that helped build the company’s reputation throughout France and beyond.
The recipe dates back to 1893 when Camille Courtin created the dish after taking inspiration from the famous duck confit of Southwest France. Instead of duck, she used locally landed scallops from the waters around Concarneau, slowly cooking them in fresh churned butter before allowing them to confit over time. Remarkably, the original recipe has remained unchanged for more than 130 years.
Today, the scallop confit is still carefully prepared using simple ingredients including scallops, butter, onions and breadcrumbs. The scallops are hand-filled into shells, tins or glass jars to preserve the artisanal quality that has defined Courtin for generations.
Concarneau itself has a deep connection to the fishing industry and sardine canning traditions that shaped Brittany’s economy during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The town became one of France’s most important fishing ports, with seafood preservation playing a vital role in local life.
Conserverie Courtin remains one of the few historic producers keeping these traditions alive. Visitors to the factory in nearby Trégunc can discover the history of the cannery, watch artisan production methods and enjoy tastings of fish soups, seafood rillettes and the famous scallop confit.
Alongside its iconic scallop confit, Conserverie Courtin also produces a wide range of authentic Breton seafood products including:
The company prides itself on using carefully selected seafood from Brittany and avoiding artificial flavourings, colourings and taste enhancers.
For lovers of authentic French gastronomy, Conserverie Courtin offers a genuine taste of Brittany’s coastal heritage. Whether enjoyed as a starter, served in puff pastry, or simply warmed with fresh bread, the famous scallop confit remains one of the region’s most unique seafood delicacies.
More than 130 years after its creation, Conserverie Courtin continues to celebrate the traditions, craftsmanship and flavours that make Brittany one of France’s great culinary destinations.
