The benefits of sea bathing
With the discovery of the therapeutic virtues of seawater in the 18th century by English doctors, a craze for the benefits of sea bathing spread to France and to the resort of Les Sables d'Olonne.
In the 19th century, the seaside resort of Sables d'Olonne developed a range of services linked to sea bathing, such as bathing aids, the famous "bathing cars" and heated baths....
In the 20th century, the focus shifted to sports on the beach, with the first swimming and gym classes being held on the great playground that is the great beach of Les Sables d'Olonne. Sports activities on the beach began between the wars.
Gaston Collin was one of the first to offer sports classes for children on the beach at Les Sables, as shown in this fine series of photos taken in the late 1930s.
In doing so, he paved the way for the many beach clubs that later set up on the Grande Plage:
- Club de Tanchet
- Club des Mouettes
- Le Point Animation Plage
- Les Aiglons Club
Gymnastics classes, olympiads, swings, sack races, trampolines, sandcastle competitions and swimming lessons with certificate examinations in small pools at the foot of the Remblai... all activities that have left a lasting impression on children on holiday in Les Sables.
What about you? Do you remember the hours you spent at the beach clubs in Les Sables?
Today, the Club de Tanchet, the Club des Mouettes and the Club des Aiglons continue to uphold the tradition of beach clubs by offering a range of activities.
Born in Les Sables-d'Olonne, she developed a passion for history and heritage at an early age.
Passionate about architecture, she has set up a number of guided tours designed to showcase the local heritage, always seeking to link the built and the human.
