”Les Mouettes d’Arvor” is the premium brand of Conserverie Gonidec, a family-run business founded in 1959 and now run by Jacques and Valérie Gonidec. Gonidec is the only company in Concarneau that still produces its canned fish using traditional methods. The fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna, anchovies) are caught off the coast of Brittany, carefully selected, transported overnight to the factory, and processed immediately. There, they are cleaned by hand and sorted by size, then fried in oil and packed into cans by hand.

This traditional production method gives the fish an incredible aroma and firm texture. Thanks to its exquisite combination of quality, taste, and tradition, “Les Mouettes d’Arvor” has enjoyed a highly regarded reputation for 50 years.

Every year, the company releases several specially designed vintage sardine cans that are highly sought after by collectors.

Manufacturer: SA CONSERVES GONIDEC, 2 Rue Henri Fabre, 29900 CONCARNEAU, FRANCE

Even the ancient Romans prized sardines and ate them salted, marinated, or smoked. To this day, the sardine—when quality and production methods are right—remains a premium product.

For the sheer pleasure of it, you should by no means miss out on the many other wonderful creations that showcase the incomparably rich range of flavors available in canned sardines: sardines in a fruity sauce, in white wine, in butter, with water and lemon… Try them!

The sardine is still a focal point for many port cities in Brittany, as well as in Spain and Portugal. It is not considered an endangered species.