The 15 essential things to do at Les Sables d’Olonne

A big weekend in the city of the Vendée Globe, is it tempting you? Here are all the sightseeings and activities to do at Les Sables d’Olonne.

Visiting the Sables d’Olonne, in the heart of Vendée, is the guarantee of discovering a modern and pleasant city, berthed by the clutches of the Atlantic coast. She has forged a great reputation among French holidaymakers, but also internationally, thanks to the Vendée Globe. In fact, nautical races are a central activity for this commune to the sea, which has three ports.

But there is not only the nautical manifestations that are worth the detour to Les Sables d’Olonne. The city is also a pleasant seaside resort where nature is never far away, as well as a cultural centre for the region. So, what to do to Les Sables d’Olonne? A thousand things, as this selection will not fail to convince you.

1. Visit the salt marshes

South of the Brittany , the Atlantic coast is known for its salt marshes, where is harvested the marine salt found in our plates. The Sables d’Olonne are no exception, as the city marks the entrance of a salted river where marshs have always been installed.

Salt marshes are a visit to the Les Sables d’Olonne, just to enjoy the unique landscape they offer. Walking along the quadrel of the ties, you can enjoy a refreshing and relaxing moment.

And if you want to know everything about how salt marshes work, go to Les Salines salt adventure park . You will have the opportunity to discover the history of the place, to discuss with the saunters and to harvest salt yourself. In addition to the various animations, you will take a boat ride on the salt river. An exit that will delight the grand and the little ones!

2. Observe birds in ornithological marshes

Marine and saline regions are conducive to the development of a rich and singular fauna and flora. They are particularly welcoming to birds. For nature lovers as well as for the simple curious, the Sables d’Olonne offer a beautiful way to observe them. Indeed, you will have the opportunity during your stay to visit the ornithological marsh . An experience closest to nature to discover absolutely!

3. Attend a water race

What to do to Les Sables d’Olonne? See a nautical race, of course! The most essential is undoubtedly the Vendée Globe , which is the largest sailing race in solitary and without the assistance of the world. Compared to a “ Everest of the Seas”, this human sword that takes place every four years is the starting point and the arrival point of the Sables d’Olonne.

Of course, the event is of great importance to the city, which then lives entirely at the pace of the Vendée Globe. If you have the opportunity to be present at the start of the race, you will keep a memorable souvenir.

But in the opposite case, there are many other nautical races that are worth a look at Les Sables d’Olonne. In fact, the city is claiming “the capital of nauticalism”! Between Solitaire du Figaro , Vendée or Golden Globe Race , marine adventure enthusiasts will have the embarrassment of choice.

4. Walking around the old town

Originally founded in the 13th century, the city offers a beautiful heritage. Flânering in the old city is therefore one of the most important things to do at Les Sables d’Olonne. It has the particularity of being open at 270° on the sea, and lined with a long remblai where the premises as visitors like to walk.

Don't miss it. Passage area , located between the port, the fairway and the beach. This historic district corresponds to the first port of the city, and today retains the trace of this past. It gives him a particular charm, and a little postcard look.

You will also enjoy the beautiful Old Chaume district , with its small houses and groaning roses. The Olonne district is also a must-see, which includes Sainte-Marie-d’Olonne church as well as several manors. Finally, the city has several emblematic monuments to discover, like the lighthouse, the Tour d’Arundel , halls and abbaye Saint Jean d’Orbestier .

5. Testing nautical activities

Les Sables d’Olonne live at the rhythm of the tides and in communion with the ocean. So, what better setting to test new nautical activities? With its three ports and its nautical tradition, the city is full of sailing schools. It is also at the forefront in surfing, and there is a lot of paddle and kite-surfing.

But you can also try more original activities, such as the mud, jet-ski or kayak at sea. Not to mention, of course, diving to explore the seabed. And if you’re more comfortable in the air, know that it’s also possible to try out at the ascent parachute above the bay.

6. Go to the beach

Who says sea holiday says, of course, farniente on the beach. And it falls well: the city of Les Sables d’Olonne has a beautiful and large central beach. Perfect for relaxation as well as swimming and sport, it is located in the heart of the city, and therefore easy to access.

We walk there all year round, taking refuge if necessary in the terraces of the cafes to warm up. An obligatory passage for any visit of the Sables d’Olonne! But you can also test the great and beautiful beach of Sauveterre , located slightly away from the centre.

7. Walking in nature on foot or by bike

Open on the sea, but also surrounded by nature, the town of Les Sables d’Olonne is a city that breathes. In just a few kilometers, you will find yourself in the heart of the Vendée countryside, which is as charming as it is soothing.

The region does not lack hiking trails, generally accessible to all as the denial remains very limited. But it is also particularly conducive to the beautiful escapes by bicycle, thanks to its bike paths and other bike routes.

8. Make a boat trip

Here is another activity to do at Les Sables d’Olonne to escape from the city and enjoy the great air. In this city that has the sea foot, making a boat trip is as simple as ordinary. You will have only the embarrassment of choice to find the cruise that matches you.

Indeed, several options are possible for boat trips. The first is to try you in navigation by making an output framed by a sailing school . The second is let you guide by one professional skipper to fully enjoy the landscape. Finally, it is possible to try at sea fishing, an ancestral local tradition if it is.

9. Explore the Sables zoo

If you are visiting Les Sables d’Olonne with your family, the zoo is a must-see step in your stay. Indeed, this beautiful eco-zoo makes children happy thanks to its many animals and animations. But it also seduces the greatest by its eco-responsible approach, aimed at protecting biodiversity. Finally, the visit is a pleasant walk thanks to the landscaped setting of the zoo, which will give you the feeling of being in the middle of nature.

10. Go to the casino

Like most tourist resorts on the Atlantic coast, Les Sables d’Olonne host two casinos. You will find all kinds of games and slot machines, of course, but also bars and restaurants.

The first, the casino of Atalantes , is located on the famous remblai des Sables d’Olonne. The second, JOA Les Pins , is less central, but offers a pleasant setting. Its architecture is inspired by New Orleans ; as for its park, it even houses a mini-golf.

11. Flâner dans le quartier de l’Île Penotte

If you have the chance to spend a few days at Les Sables d’Olonne, visiting the district of Penotte Island is a pleasant activity. Located in the city centre, this charming neighbourhood offers the perfect setting for a small stroll.

Indeed, its traditional houses with pastel tones are decorated with splendid frescoes in shells. Married to geraniums and groan roses, they give an incomparable hiding place to the small streets of Penotte Island. In our eyes, this is one of the most beautiful walks to make in Les Sables d’Olonne!

12. Visit a museum

What to do to Les Sables d’Olonne in rainy weather? Visit a museum! Indeed, the city is a small cultural epicentre for the region and hosts several museums that are worth a look.

The first is MASC , a beautiful contemporary art museum centred on painting. But Les Sables d’Olonne also offer more singular visits, such as that of Muséum du Coquillage . Its collections are unique in Europe! We also recommend to history lovers Museum of Popular Traditions , as well as Blockhaus Museum Hospital . Nestled in an authentic 20-piece blockhouse, it tells the history of the Vendée in 1939-1945.

13. Amazing at the Magic Festival

Rich in cultural animations, the city of Les Sables d’Olonne welcomes every year an original festival: the Festival de la Magie des Sables d’Olonne . Fully dedicated to magic, it takes place in February or March . For three weeks, it offers programming of shows and animations around the prestidigitators and other mentalists.

14. Tasting seafood

Fishing is an ancestral activity in Les Sables d’Olonne, which is still of great importance. So, while staying in the city, you will be at the first lodges to taste delicious fish and seafood!

To do this, you will have several options. The first will be to treat you in one of the many seafood restaurants in the city. The second will be to go to one of the city’s markets, or to the central halls. But you can also buy fish and crustaceans directly on the pier, in the fish hall of the fishing port .

15. Relax in a spa

What if you take advantage of your passage to Les Sables d’Olonne to offer you a real moment of relaxation? The city offers many spaces dedicated to well-being, perfect for resourcing.

There are, first of all, several hotels with spa. But you can also enjoy a thalassotherapy club, several independent spas, as well as a pool of sea water. Wellness activities are regularly proposed by the municipality: Qi Gong, pilates, reflexology, relaxation trips...

How do I go to Les Sables d’Olonne?

To visit Les Sables d’Olonne from a French city, you will have the choice between the road and the train. The city is located 4h30 from Paris , 2h30 Mans and 1h30 d’Angers By car. It also has its own SNCF station, serviced by the TGV Paris-Nantes-Les Sables d’Olonne (3h30 from Paris) and TER.

If you come from a distance, the plane is another option to reach the Sables d’Olonne. The two closest airports are located at Nantes and La Rochelle . So you'll have to finish the road by car or train. To find the flight suitable for your needs, we recommend using a flight comparison as Skyscanner .

Where to stay at Les Sables d’Olonne?

As you can see on one Compare hotels or on the site Airbnb , the offer of accommodation is rather abundant to Les Sables d’Olonne. To visit the city quietly, we recommend you to stay in the central districts. You will thus have access to both the most charming places of the city as the ports, but also to monuments, to the station, or to the beach.

You now know that doing at Les Sables d’Olonne and without a doubt, you will spend an excellent stay in the Salesian city. Indeed, it offers visits and activities tailored to all tastes and audiences. All in a charming setting, between ocean, heritage and nature.