French farmer offers heart-shaped oysters as a Valentine's treat

LEUCATE: A French oyster farmer has figured out a way to enhance the romantic potential of his product, once considered to be a natural aphrodisiac, to the delight of couples on Valentine's Day.

Situated in southern France's Leucate Lake on the Mediterranean coast, Christophe Guinot has managed to farm oysters shaped like hearts, which he sells to local restaurants.

Guinot won't say how he manages to give the oysters such a shape, it's well-guarded trade secret.

After his harvest, Guinot heads straight to one of the restaurants he works with, the 'La Balette', a one-Michelin star restaurant headed by Chef Laurent Lemal in Collioure.

Lemal works exclusively with local products and oysters raised only a few kilometres away are part of his menu. The heart-shaped oysters will be on the menu only for Valentine's Day lovers only on Monday (February 14).

But one lucky couple got to taste it in advance on Saturday (February 12). "It's aesthetically pleasing, it's feminine, I love it," said customer Sandrine Pujol.