You can get almost anything from a vending machine these days, from the familiar candy bar and soda to cellphones and headphones, but live oysters are still probably unique to one machine on a small island off France’s west coast.
On the île de Ré, Brigitte and Tony Berthelot, who have been farming oysters on the island for 30 years, came up with the machine as a way to avoid disappointing customers when they go home.
The oysters are sold closed, for health reasons, and the stock is refreshed daily. The price for a dozen, €6.90, is the same as in their shop. Customers who call in advance can order other specialties from the shop, and get a code that opens their compartment to collect the food.
In recent years, France has become home to a number of unusual vending machines, including a meat vendor in Paris earlier this year, and quite a number of baguette vendors around the country.
