La Contremarche

Fish croquettes with a core of salted cod and chorizo serve as the definitive introduction to the inventive brasserie cooking at La Contremarche. Located within the historic stone walls of Granville’s former fish market, the kitchen prioritizes local maritime bounty and seasonal produce. The aroma of smoked paprika and toasted zaatar wafts from the open kitchen, signaling a menu that balances French tradition with global spice. A signature main of roasted chicken is glazed in a concentrated jus and served alongside a vibrant broccoli mousseline, offering a contrast between the bird’s crackling skin and the airy, whipped texture of the vegetable. Technique is paramount here; vegetables are charred over high heat to extract natural sugars, while meats are braised slowly to achieve a tender, yielding consistency. The meal concludes with a vacherin-style dessert featuring sheep’s milk yogurt and crisp meringue, providing a final, refreshing interplay of tartness and crunch that mirrors the coastal breeze.