Les Sables d’Olonne is situated within the coronary heart of the well-known Côte de Lumière in France’s Vendée area. The small city stretches alongside a protracted sandy seaside full of surfers of all ages. However it’s removed from a soulless resort. Wander via the slim streets of its Previous City and also you’ll uncover a world of maritime historical past, architectural heritage, and charming city squares. Carry on studying for my curated information on what to see and do in Les Sables d’Olonne.
What to See & Do in Les Sables d’Olonne
If I had been to color Les Sables d’Olonne, I might use a palette of pastel blue, crimson, and yellow. Its soundtrack would in all probability have the refined sound of waves within the background. This charming coastal French city is an ideal spot to unwind, to get some headspace, and immerse your self in a distinct tempo of life.
I visited in early April when the city was splendidly serene, although it might get fairly busy in the summertime months. Should you go to in peak season, my tip is to discover extra of the pure landscapes simply outdoors the city centre.
⤷ TIP: Learn extra in regards to the occasions occurring throughout your go to on the official Les Sables d’Olonne Tourism Board web site.
Wander By way of its Previous City
Les Sables d’Olonne is residence to a picturesque Previous City, full of slim streets, historic sailors’ homes, and a pleasant mixture of structure kinds. In comparison with another French cities, Les Sables d’Olonne felt so peaceable. The streets had been clear, and, throughout my morning walks, I encountered its residents going about their day by day lives.
I liked window purchasing and checking a few of its good boutiques and small retailers. The Previous City is an ideal place to begin your go to to Les Sables d’Olonne and get a way of the place.
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Penotte Island (Île Penotte)
Don’t let the phrase Île mislead you: Penotte Island is a tiny neighbourhood tucked inside the Previous City. In the course of the French Revolution, it was often known as the “Misplaced Island,” therefore its title.
It’s a must-visit space for any artwork lover! I liked exploring it due to its distinctive road artwork created fully from seashells. These stunning mosaics, which adorn the facades of the homes, had been all made by native artist, Danièle Arnaud-Aubin.
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Stroll the Seaside Promenade: Le Remblai
Whereas the Previous City is fantastic, one other space I liked exploring was the Remblai (the seaside promenade). Les Sables d’Olonne is situated on the Atlantic Coast, so whereas on the promenade, you get to benefit from the huge expanse of the blue ocean. Nonetheless, what makes it so highly effective on the similar time are the waves crashing on the seaside.
I might spend hours mesmerised by the altering great thing about the froth and wave shapes. The stone promenade follows the curve of the seaside all through the whole city. Many individuals had been sitting on the colorful benches alongside it, enjoying chess, or having picnics with their household and mates.
I particularly appreciated strolling alongside it early within the morning, when the shortage of individuals and the sound of waves made it an nearly meditative expertise.
Probably the most recognisable websites on the Les Sables d’Olonne promenade is its Clock Tower. It was constructed by Maurice Durand, the city’s architect within the Nineteen Fifties.
You’ll really feel the maritime heritage on each nook in Les Sables d’Olonne. And there’s no higher approach to rejoice these courageous folks dwelling by the ocean than with a legendary sailor. The Ulysses Statue was made by the French sculptor, Christophe Charbonnel. The statue is three metres tall, and relying on the tide, Ulysses seems to be both standing tall or half-submerged within the sea.
Probably the most stunning road artwork works in Les Sables d’Olonne is situated on a constructing on the promenade. The French Fauvist painter, Albert Marquet, was impressed by this charming French city and painted it in a number of of his artworks. Considered one of them impressed a large fifteen-metre-high wall portray on one of many residential buildings.
You’ll be able to see a few of his unique work on the MASC, the fashionable and up to date artwork museum.
⤷ TIP: Should you get a bit drained whereas strolling round, hop on one of many free electrical minibus often known as “Tramouette”.
Seashore actions
You shouldn’t miss spending a while on the implausible, large sandy seaside, Grande Plage, particularly when you’re visiting in the course of the hotter months. I used to be fascinated by surfers of all ages heading to the water with their boards. Complete households would collect there, displaying that the ocean continues to be an integral a part of on a regular basis life in Les Sables d’Olonne.
Apart from browsing, you too can swim, sunbathe, play volleyball, and revel in many different enjoyable actions on the seaside.
⤷ Learn extra: Summer time in Artwork Historical past
Go to the native market
The most effective issues to do in Les Sables d’Olonne is go to the native market, “Halles Ephémères.” Meals is an enormous a part of French tradition, and every area has its personal specialties.
Being a coastal city, it is best to attempt the number of seafood at Les Sables d’Olonne. I liked seeing some uncommon shellfish I’d by no means seen earlier than, after which attempting it for lunch at an area restaurant.
Apart from seafood, pastry merchandise, wine, desserts, and salt are all of the issues to flick thru at this stunning market.
Discover the Muséum du Coquillage
This distinctive museum you shouldn’t miss in Les Sables d’Olonne is fully devoted to shells. They’ve greater than 50,000 shells from everywhere in the world of their assortment. I used to be actually stunned to see Conus Marmoreus, a shell I knew from certainly one of Rembrandt’s drawings.
You can too simply go to their store to purchase stunning shells or regionally designed, maritime-inspired merchandise.
Search for the Viking ship on the harbour
Les Sables d’Olonne’s harbour is residence to many attention-grabbing ships. You’ll see fishermen cleansing their nets within the morning and vacationer boats prepared for excursions. Nonetheless, one of the crucial distinctive ships I noticed on the harbour was a historic wood Viking ship. You may marvel (as I did) what it’s doing on this French city?
I realized that this Viking ship known as Olaf d’Olonne and it’s a duplicate of a Ninth-century Viking longship. It was constructed by 45 volunteers and is used right this moment for academic functions, although you too can go on just a little voyage and sail on it.
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Vendée Globe & Vélodyssée
Les Sables d’Olonne is the beginning and ending level for one of the crucial distinctive crusing competitions on the planet. The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, continuous, around-the-world crusing race. Based in 1989, it takes place each 4 years. You’ll be able to see some yachts from earlier competitions within the marina, and also you’ll come upon plaques on the promenade celebrating earlier winners. The subsequent race will happen in 2028.
Should you’re extra into biking, try the Vélodyssée. It’s a part of the North Atlantic biking route which spans from Norway to Portugal. A piece passes via the Vendée area, permitting you to cycle via the various panorama round Les Sables d’Olonne.
Discover the La Chaume neighbourhood
La Chaume was once a fishermen’s neighbourhood in Les Sables d’Olonne. Its streets have preserved that vibrant look, making it a beautiful space to wander round. You may get there by hopping on one of many small ferry boats working throughout the channel.
I liked strolling via its slim outdated streets, trying on the many alternative colors used on the facades. Considered one of my favorite was a small sq. with a home fully lined in wall work. Only a few steps away, you’ll discover the long-lasting Le Poisson À Roulettes bar, an ideal place for lunch or a drink on a heat day.
The neighbourhood has its personal small marketplace for native meals. One of many highlights of the neighbourhood is Villa Charlotte. Sitting in its backyard, surrounded by aromatic timber with a beautiful view of the Previous City, was certainly one of my favorite issues to do in Les Sables d’Olonne.
Additionally, don’t miss visiting the outdated medieval monastery, Prieuré Saint-Nicolas. Constructed within the eleventh century, it’s an amazing instance of Romanesque structure. It’s not used as a monastery, it was restored in 2004 and was an artwork gallery.
Gastronomy in Les Sables d’Olonne
I haven’t had a nasty (not even a mediocre) meal throughout my keep in Les Sables d’Olonne. The city (and a surrounding area) is a implausible gastronomic vacation spot. Listed here are a few of my eating places suggestions in Les Sables d’Olonne.
LE SLOOP
This good restaurant is situated contained in the Atlantic Resort proper on the promenade. It has a beautiful view, particularly at time for supper when you may take pleasure in a ravishing sundown. The service was distinctive and the meals was implausible. I had foie gras as a starter (which is outwardly typical for the area) and it was scrumptious! Go to the official LE SLOOP web site right here.
Viviers Rocheteau Restaurant
This restaurant has the most effective areas, proper on the seaside. Positioned simply outdoors the city, it specialises in seafood. All the things was so contemporary and scrumptious, I might return straight away. I’ll let photographs communicate for themself. Go to Viviers Rocheteau Restaurant web site right here.
Villa St Jean Restaurant
One other restaurant with a beautiful location. I had an aperitif on its terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (one other excellent sundown spot) first. We loved a multi-courses dinner, I particularly appreciated a dip made with native white beens (mogette), however every part else was equally fantastic. Go to Villa St Jean Restaurant web site right here.
L’Estran Restaurant
Positioned within the harbour, this small restaurant serves high-level, revolutionary meals. The second you enter, you may inform by the fantastic scent from kitchen that you simply’ll have a good time! I particularly loooved my scampi important dish! Go to L’Estran Restaurant web site right here.
Round Les Sables d’Olonne
There’s a lot extra to see and do close by. Exploring Île d’Olonne, its nature, small villages, outdated church buildings, and mills, is a should. I used to be so fascinated by the number of the panorama surrounding it: from sandy and rocky seashores to marches and forest, you will get misplaced within the stunning nature surrounding that beautiful French city.
The marches had been particularly attention-grabbing as a result of it’s a panorama you don’t see typically. Particularly as a result of right here, they’re full of seawater and used for salt manufacturing. You’ll be able to go to a number of of these saltworks there.
They’re additionally an amazing place for sport actions, like paddling or canoeing. Its peaceable nature is full of birds, so it’s additionally an amazing place for fowl watching.
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Helpful Suggestions for Visiting Les Sables d’Olonne
Listed here are a couple of extra helpful suggestions for visiting Les Sables d’Olonne.
The best way to get to Les Sables d’Olonne
By practice: I travelled to Les Sables d’Olonne from Amsterdam by practice, going via Paris and altering at Nantes, the place I acquired on an area practice to Les Sables d’Olonne. It was a cushty journey, primarily on quick trains, and I might travelled the identical method once more.
By automobile: Should you’d wish to discover extra of the encompassing area, it is likely to be a good suggestion to journey by (or hire a) automobile. I usually discover driving in France to be very good and simple, so think about it, as nicely.
By airplane: Nantes Atlantique Airport is the closest airport, so try the flights to and from there. Different possibility might be to fly to Paris, and journey to Les Sables d’Olonne from there.
The place to remain in Les Sables d’Olonne
Hôtel les Roches Noires
That is the place I stayed throughout my journey to Les Sables d’Olonne. The lodge is situated proper on the coastline, so the placement can’t be higher. I spent numerous time on my balcony having fun with the view. Breakfast was very nice and nice view of the town and waves breaking into the shore.
What to purchase as a memento in Les Sables d’Olonne
I got here again from my journey to Les Sables d’Olonne with a backpack stuffed with good souvenirs. They usually had been principally edible. So, listed below are a few of my suggestions on what to purchase as a memento in Les Sables d’Olonne.
La Sablaise canning-factory merchandise: The realm is well-known for its canning merchandise. I purchased numerous canned sardines, that are normally packed in stunning vibrant packages. You’ll discover La Sablaise store proper within the metropolis centre, however there are a couple of different areas within the city, as nicely. In addition they have fantastic fish and vegetable pates it is best to attempt.
A shell from Muséum du Coquillage: Go to the Muséum du Coquillage store and flick thru stunning shells they’re promoting there. You may get a single shell or jewelry manufactured from them. In any case, will probably be an amazing reminder of your journey to Les Sables d’Olonne.
Native chocolate: Les Sables d’Olonne is residence to some very nice chocolate producers. You’ll discover cute chocolate in a form of sardines in lots of locations across the city. Should you’d wish to get extra of a better finish merchandise, go to Relais Desserts.
Salt: Salt has been produced within the area for hundreds of years, and it may be an amazing memento from Les Sables d’Olonne. You should buy it on the saltworks within the marches, or in lots of small retailers within the city centre.
Should you’re in search of a ravishing coastal French city full of historical past, cultural heritage, implausible museums and pleasant locals, then Les Sables d’Olonne is the correct place for you. I hope this information with issues to see and do in Les Sables d’Olonne will make your go to extra enjoyable.
I visited Les Sables d’Olonne on a press journey organised by the Vendée Tourism Board and their native companions in April 2026. Many due to all of them for organising a beautiful go to to me. Nonetheless, as at all times all opinions are my very own.
