Les Sables d'Olonne
It's impossible to spend a holiday in the Vendée without visiting the delightful seaside resort of Sables d'Olonne! This town in Vendée is prized for its beautiful sandy beaches, lively marina, salt marshes, or lively embankment and charming Ile Penotte district, but also for being the start and finish town for the Vendée Globe.
During your stay at our camping in Vendée, be sure to discover Les Sables d'Olonne, just 40 km from our campsite!
Les Sables d'Olonne and the Vendée Globe
Les Sables d'Olonne shines thanks to the renown of the Vendée Globe, considered one of the most demanding sailing competitions. Port Olona and the Chaume district are the epicentres of this event, where the sailors set off on this maritime adventure.
The Vendée Globe race takes placeevery 4 years and the start is in November or December. If you're staying in Les Sables d'Olonne at that time, take part in the start or finish of this race and enjoy the festivities planned for the occasion.
The unmissable embankment in Les Sables d'Olonne
The embankment of Les Sables d'Olonne is an emblematic promenade of this seaside resort in the Vendée, offering a panoramic view over the Atlantic Ocean. This promenade, which runs along the coast, is lined with restaurants, cafés and boutiques. Lively throughout the year, the embankment of Sables d'Olonne is the vibrant heart of the town.
A pleasant stroll around the port
The port is a symbol of the maritime history and economic dynamism of Les Sables d'Olonne. It is home to a mixed fleet of fishing boats, pleasure yachts and merchant ships. The quays are lined with cafés, restaurants and shops, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere. Take time to stroll along the quays, admire the boats and breathe in the sea air.
Île Penotte, an open-air museum
From our campsite near Les Sables d'Olonne, a stone's throw from the embankment at LesSables d'Olonne, Penotte Island beckons with its winding lanes and houses adorned with shells. A local artist, affectionately known as "la dame aux coquillages", has breathed new life into the area where she grew up: for years, she has adorned the facades with colourful creations, using shells as her artistic palette. Wandering through these alleys is comparable to discovering anart gallery!
In the heart of the salt marshes of Les Sables d'Olonne
Les Sables d'Olonne is also famous for its salt marshes. During your camping holiday, take the time to discover thisancestral treasure that bears witness to a centuries-old tradition of salt harvesting. In these expanses of shallow basins, seawater is channelled and evaporated by the sun, leaving behind sparkling salt crystals.
This unique landscape, dotted with windmills and salt workers' huts, offers a glimpse of traditional craftsmanship. Symbols of know-how and preservation, the salt marshes representthe history and identity of Les Sables-d'Olonne.
The superb beaches of Les Sables d'Olonne
It's impossible to spend a holiday in the Vendée without visiting the beautiful beaches of this corner of France. 25km of beaches line Les Sables d'Olonne. There is, of course, the Grande Plage, a splendid 3km-long beach, but also the Plage de Tanchet, popular for board sports, or the Plage de la Paracou, surrounded by dunes, and the Plage de Sauveterre, on the edge of the forest.
A unique heritage to discover
Culture lovers, you're going to love your visit to Les Sables d'Olonne ! Indeed, this Vendée town is home to a wealth of historical treasures. Admirethe church of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Port, a building built in the 17th century that is now listed as a Historic Monument. Next, head to the Prieuré Saint-Nicolas. This is an ancient place of prayer dating back to the 12th century, next to which stands theFort Saint-Nicolas, a testament to the region's military history. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean! Continue your tour of the heritage of Les Sables d'Olonne with a visit to the Château Saint-Clair (also known as Château de la Chaume, after the jetty on which it stands), a former fortified castle that supports the Tour d'Arundel. This tower is thought to date from the late 15th century. Climb the 127 steps of this monument and admire the splendid view before you!
Les Sables d'Olonne zoo: a children's paradise
Are you on holiday in the Vendée with your children? Take them to the zoo in LesSables d'Olonne! Founded in 1959, this animal park is home to over 400 animalsrepresenting more than 70 species. Your children will be able to get up close and personal with lions and monkeys, as well as meerkats, pink flamingos and giraffes. This zoo will win you over with its vast spaces, adapted to each habitat, and the immersive and educational experience it offers for visitors of all ages.
A cultural dive in Les Sables d'Olonne
Hereare two museums not to be missed on your visit to Les Sables d'Olonne:the Musée de la Mer et de la Pêcheand the MASC, Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain de l'Abbaye Sainte Croix. The former invites you to immerse yourself inthe maritime history of the Vendée. You'll discover a collection of objects such as fishing tools and artefacts relating the lives of sailors and fishermen, as well as model boats. The second is an art museum housed in a former 12th-century Benedictine abbey, which houses a rich and varied collection of modern and contemporary art.
A bucolic walk in the heart of nature's riches
Would you like to take a family walk in the heart of nature in Sables d'Olonne? Discover la balade au Puits d'enfer. You'll walk along the wild coastline of Sables d'Olonne and the preserved steep cliffs. Also stroll along the Baie de Cayola, a beach lined with maritime pines and golden dunes. It's a peaceful stroll on the south side of Sables d'Olonne that awaits you.
