Le chenal

The legendary Vendée Globe channel

That's the distance between the red light at the harbour entrance and the footbridge of pontoon L, the pontoon dedicated to ocean racing and nicknamed "the Vendée Globe pontoon" by everyone.

The channel in Les Sables d'Olonne is at the very origin of the town's development. This vast maritime entrance to the salt marshes has been a formidable gateway to the open sea since the beginning of our era.

A protective harbour for boats from Roman times, it became a crossroads for trade in the Middle Ages, when activity focused on coastal trade in regional riches such as wheat, wine and salt from the Olonne marshes.

In the 15th century, under the impetus of King Louis XI and his adviser Philippe de Commynes, the first harbour developments took place behind the dune on which the town was built: the first quays of Les Sables d'Olonne saw the light of day.

However, it wasn't until the 18th century, a time when cod fishing on the banks of Newfoundland made the town considerably richer, that ambitious harbour developments were put in place: the breakwater, Les Sables jetty, Les Sables and La Chaume quays, Saint Nicolas jetty... today's channel is the result of almost 150 years of harbour developments carried out between 1763 and 1910.

These facilities were overhauled during the twentieth century, and between 1978 and 1994, the Port Olona marina was built in the salt marshes to complement them.

Every 4 years, the channel takes centre stage during the departures and arrivals of the skippers taking part in the Vendée Globe race: its configuration allows supporters to form a giant guard of honour for these adventurers on the "Everest of the Seas".

The channel in Les Sables d'Olonne, with its two-kilometre length and theatrical character, is a veritable place of contemplation, where passers-by stop to admire the tireless spectacle of boats leaving the town or returning to port.