April 1st is the perfect time to celebrate fish and all the gourmet pleasures that go with it.

From terrines to preserves and smoked fish, make your favourite selection around this delicacy that's as varied as it is delicious. And it's no April fool!

There are many explanations for the origin of April Fools' Day, celebrated on the 1st of April. While the framework of these explanations tends to fluctuate from one expert to another, there is at least one certified fact: the tradition of celebrating 1st April by associating it with a fish is mentioned in writings as far back as the Renaissance. Another certified fact is that in France, this day is considered to be the day of pranks and jokes.

It's the perfect opportunity for gourmet food shops to showcase the incredible diversity of this delicate dish, with its flavoursome flesh and subtle aroma that blends perfectly with a host of vegetables, spices, herbs and sauces. The range of fish products on offer caters for all budgets and tastes.

From caviar to sardines

Pyrenean truite

You can enjoy the extraordinary finesse of Sturia caviar, produced in Nouvelle-Aquitaine - a brand that is loyal to Gourmet Selection. French know-how in caviar production is also highlighted by Kaviari, which also offers a whole range of caviar made in France with subtle and rare flavours.

For the first time, Kaviari will be present at the 2025 edition of the show.

Even more precious is the Poutargue, born in Martigues in the heart of Provence. Its superb orange colour is matched only by its dense, melt-in-the-mouth texture, making it known to aficionados as the ‘caviar of the Mediterranean’. This exceptional product will be featured again in the 2025 edition of Gourmet Selection thanks to the presence of Maison Martegale, specialists in this exceptional Poutargue.

 

Still in the range of exceptional products, why not also highlight the smoothness of old-fashioned smoked salmon or smoked trout from the Pyrenees from Maison Barthouil - another Gourmet Selection regular
sardines en
Sardines are accessible to a greater number of consumers. Here again, is there any greater pleasure than biting into a crusty baguette spread with a little PDO butter and a few fillets of sardines in virgin olive oil?


“La Perle des Dieux” and "Conserverie de l'Ile d'Yeu" will certainly not be the ones to say otherwise... These two canneries are continuing a French sardine tradition, often reinterpreted by adding ingredients as tasty as they are original, such as candied lemon or dried tomato (Conserverie de l'Ile d'Yeu) or even a turmeric/ginger/black pepper or seaweed/capers mix at La Perle des Dieux.


Beautiful tins for exceptional sardines: that's what the cannery La Perle des Dieux has to offer (Photo: Perle des Dieux)

Fish is always in the spotlight at Gourmet Selection

We should also mention the wonderful rillettes and spreads made from albacore tuna, anchovy, hake, cod or mackerel. Here again, canneries and major fish processing companies offer a choice to suit all tastes and budgets.

Fish and all seafood products remain eminently popular at Gourmet Selection. The 2024 edition welcomed some twenty exhibitors, including representatives of fresh fish - notably under the booth of Normandy. The same will be true of the 2025 edition of the show next September. In the meantime, let's hope that our quality grocery shops will take on a little maritime flair to celebrate Fish Month!
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