Since the Middle Ages, the history of Les Sables d'Olonne has been linked to the ocean as evidenced by the Church of Saint-Nicolas, patron saint of fishermen, built in the 11th century at Pointe de la Chaume.
The seaside resort of Sables d'Olonne is formed around a 3 km fine sandy beach, facing south, extended to the north by a succession of beautiful beaches while the south is the area of rocks, overlooked by the customs trail.
Populated by 15,000 inhabitants in winter and 100,000 in summer, the town of Sables d'Olonne is active all year round, day and night.
Its port is animated as much by fishing as by pleasure. Many shops, markets and restaurants contribute to the dynamism of the city.
Also worth visiting: the spectacular Musée de l'Abbaye Sainte Croix, a modern and contemporary art museum housed in the former Benedictine Priory of Poitiers, the Shell Museum, the Zoo ...
Since 1989, the Vendée Globe Challenge has started in Les Sables d'Olonne. Every four years, the city lives to the rhythm of this prestigious solo round-the-world race which attracts visitors and media from all over the world to the pontoons of Les Sables d'Olonne.
