Sables d'Olonne

Visit Sables d'Olonne, Pays de la Loire

Sables d'Olonne is a popular town and beach resort on the Cote de Lumiere that runs along the coast of the western Vendee department. One of the most popular of the coastal towns in the region, the main attraction is of course the beach: three kilometres long, and with numerous activities available.

Exploring Sables d'Olonne

Much of the long beach is backed by modern hotel and apartment developments, restaurants and bars,with the part between the lighthouse and the casino being the most lively both during the day time and into the evening as the cafes and restaurants fill with people and buskers play along the seafront.

Behind these is the town of Sables d'Olonne itself, the most important town along this section of coast and an active fishing port as well as popular holiday destination. The town has all the activities and facilities you would expect of a busy seaside town.

Although the beach is the main attraction there are also some sights of historical interest:

In the coastal region called the Chaume you will see the Priory of Saint-Nicholas, which was a church until the 18th century, then a prison, and is now used for various exhibitions and events. The tower that is all that remains of the 15th century Chateau Saint-Clair has now had its tower converted into a lighthouse.

The Church of Notre-Dame in the town dates from the 17th century and is mostly in gothic style, while the Abbey of Sainte-Croix, an attractive 17th century building, has also seen a multitude of uses including a german army base and a library.

There are also three separate ports here - a fishing port, a port for industry, and the pleasure port of Port Olona.

Sables d'Olonne is also known for the Vendee Globe yacht race - a race around the world single-handed in a yacht - that takes place every four years and starts and ends in the resort.

See camping holidays in Vendee for Sables d'Olonne campsites, and along the popular Vendee coast

Attractions in the vicinity

There is a popular zoo in Sables d'Olonne which has a particular focus on promoting awareness of the environment and many protected species of animal some of which are very unusual - we liked the 'Red Panda' and the monkeys, the children liked the long legged 'maned Wolf'...see Zoo des Sables for information and opening hours.

Suggested places to visit near Sables d'Olonne, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Saint-Martin-de-Re 46km; La Flotte-en-Re 49km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Sables d'Olonne

Sables d'Olonne tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Saint-Jean-de-Monts - ville fleurie 4* (39km) : Notre-Dame-de-Monts - ville fleurie 4* (46km) : Jardins de Chaligny - remarkable garden (50km) : Marais de Machecoul - site of natural beauty (55km) : Jardins du Bâtiment - remarkable garden (59km) :

French version: see Sables d'Olonne (Francais)