Experience the Vendée Globe

This authentic and picturesque fishing district can be discovered by taking the ferry across the legendary Vendée Globe channel. The Arundel Tower and the Prieuré St Nicolas, with their breathtaking views over the Baie des Sables, bear witness to the maritime history of La Chaume.
Lose yourself in the maze of charming narrow streets - love and chance are just a step away!

From the Bassin Dombret (a natural seawater pool) via the Corniche du Nouch, to La Chaume, the wild coastline north of Les Sables d'Olonne is revealed with its many beaches between rocky coastline, dunes and forest: the Paracou beach, the Graviers beach, the Grande Plage (one of the most beautiful bays in the world) at Sauveterre and the Les Granges beach (with tiralos).

Just a stone's throw from the beaches, nature reveals itself in its verdant setting! Take a bike ride through the Olonne forest, which is criss-crossed by numerous hiking and cybletouring trails that invite you to discover a variety of species (acacias, holm oaks, maritime pines). The Olonne forest was created on the dunes in 1837 to protect the marshes, and stretches along the coast for 11 kilometres. Take a walk along our footpaths and immerse yourself in nature!

The salt adventure park "Les Salines" invites you to discover the history of salt in the village of Aubraie. Salt, known as white gold, is the origin of the salt-making village on the Ile d'Olonne, a charming commune surrounded by marshes. In summer, an open-air photo exhibition immerses you in the culture of nature!

The Port Olona crew are on hand to help you enjoy your sailing holiday "A la Sablaise"!
Port Olona is the No. 1 yachting harbour in the Vendée and home to many prestigious sailing events, including the Vendée Globe, the New York-Vendée Les Sables, the Golden Globe Race, the Figaro, the Tour de France à la Voile, the Course Croisière des Ports Vendéens, Les Sables-Horta-Les Sables (class 40), the Solo Maître Coq, the Vendée Va'a Polynesian pirogue race, etc.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the fish auction from 5.30am with the Meravenir association, France's 5th-largest fishing port with a fleet of over 70 fishing boats and 250 fishermen, bookable at the tourist office. It's also a commercial port that can accommodate 110-metre grain cargo ships. Look up, the Cavac grain silos are adorned with a fresco evoking the past between sea bathing and salt marshes by the artist Taroe. There's also a marina called Quai Garnier with 119 moorings, right in the centre of Les Sables d'Olonne.

The south-facing Grande Plage on the Remblai enjoys exceptional sunshine (over 2,200 hours a year) and is just a stone's throw from the pedestrianised streets of the town centre. With over 3km of fine sand, it's an ideal playground for all the family, with its kids' clubs, beach huts, restaurants and summer activities.
The promenade is a great place to stroll and discover beautiful seaside villas, and the famous Pendule in the shape of a lighthouse, a must-see meeting place opposite the fresco "la toile du fauve Albert Marquet : Eté, la plage des Sables d'Olonne" .

To the south of the Grande Plage, walk along the Remblai and Plage de Tanchet, facing Lac de Tanchet. Surfers from the Sablais region will tell you that this is one of the best surf spots on the Sablais coast!
Opposite the beach is the Institut Sports Océan, a sailing school dedicated to water sports. Set in lush greenery, the Côte Ouest Thalasso & Spa invites you to relax and unwind, with a breathtaking view over the lake and ocean.

The corniche rocheuse (rocky ledge) is the perfect place for a bucolic and sporty stroll. Located to the south of Les Sables d'Olonne, on the edge of the ocean, it stretches over 3 kilometres of cycle paths, between Tanchet beach and Cayola bay. Nature is wild here.
You're sure to love the beauty of this coastal route, with its breathtaking views over the Atlantic and its must-see sites such as the Puits d'Enfer and Bois Saint-Jean perched on the cliffs of Anse aux Moines.

Le Château d'Olonne, to the south of Les Sables d'Olonne, is a privileged holiday location thanks to its exceptional environment with the Tanchet beach (famous surf spot), its footpaths and cycle paths along the wild coastline overlooking the ocean, you will discover the mythical Le Puits d'Enfer fault and the sublime Cayola bay, and set back from the sea the St Jean d'Orbestier Abbey to explore during exhibitions ...

Olonne sur Mer, a district of Les Sables d'Olonne, is blessed with an exceptional natural environment, with long, beautiful natural beaches (ideal for swimming and water sports), dunes, marshes, a historical heritage (Musée des Traditions Populaires, Eglise Notre Dame, Parc de la Jarrie, etc.), a national forest and hiking trails between sea, forest and marsh....

Theauthentic village of Ile d'Olonne is located 8km north of Les Sables d'Olonne, in a remarkable natural environment between marshes and the Auzance and Vertonne rivers. For nature lovers, the ornithological reserve and its bird observatory welcome you to observe migratory birds. In the heart of the fish and salt marshes, follow the footpaths and cycle paths through a veritable open-air labyrinth, stopping off at the Gueffard mill for a panoramic view of the marshes.

Vairé, "a balcony overlooking the sea" lives up to its name just a few minutes north of Les Sables d'Olonne, and is the highest point in Les Sables d'Olonne, where in fine weather you can see the Atlantic Ocean. There are walks that take you to the wind farm or to the Auzance river with the Fosse aux Gendarmes footbridge. Stop off at the "La Borderie" hiking centre, a stopover gîte at the crossroads of the Sables d'Olonne hiking trails all year round.

Just a few minutes north of Les Sables d'Olonne, Saint Mathurin is bordered to the south by the River Vertonne and to the north by the River Auzance - it's countryside as we like it. Its footpaths in the heart of the village plunge you into the calm and charm of its rural setting.

Just a few minutes from the beaches of Les Sables d'Olonne, Sainte Foy boasts some of the most bucolic landscapes in France, as well as a number of hiking trails. Take a break in the little village of Sainte Foy, at the "Foy'Son" restaurant, for a taste of 100% home-made food. Take the opportunity to discover the Halles market, the church dating from the late 18th century and the Pôle Equestre Vendéen, with its many events all year round.

Set course for Les Sables d'Olonne, a seaside town with a 270° angle to the sea, with its 25km of coastline, voted one of the most beautiful bays in the world! The Barges lighthouse is located 2,100 metres off the coast of Sables d'Olonne. Originally designed (1857-1861) to mark the entrance to the port, it later became a danger light after the construction of the Armandèche lighthouse. The tower measures 24.81 m and has a range of 15 miles by day and 17 miles by night. The lighthouse was manned until 1971, when it was automated. Since 21 October 2011, it has been listed as a Historic Monument.