Facing the ocean, the 19th-century villas are a reminder of the exceptionnal maritime past !
CENTRAL MARKET PLACE, Les Sables d’Olonne
Located on the site of the little old cemetery of les Sabels d'Olonne, the first market place dates from 1810. The 'Baltard pavilion' style as we now know it was conceived by the Les Sables architect, Charles Smolski, in 1890. 'Les Halles' were renovated a century later preserving the original architectural style of the building. It is now a very popular food market.
Specialities : set off on a journey of discovery of the local markets and sample all their savoury delights, including our famous tangy sea-fresh delicacies such as sole, sardines from Les Sables, oysters, salt, samphire, ... not forgetting our other local produce : mogette beans, Vendée ham, sweet new potatoes, and our delicious local wines* : white, red and rosé ... Enjoy your meal !!
* excess alcohol consumption is dangerous for your health.
LE REMBLAI
Le Remblai is the name given to the long promenade bordering the beach at Les Sables d’Olonne.
Le Remblai is, in fact, a series of promenades originally constructed to protect the town against attack from the sea and the encroaching sand.
It was gradually to become the seafront promenade. In the late 19th century, a number of architects gave free rein to their imaginations and created some magnificent villas typical of the seaside architecture.
LA CHAUME DISTRICT
Birthplace of the old town
This sailors’/fishermen’s district with its narrow alleyways fringed by low lime-washed houses is undeniably the oldest district of the town. Despite their secular rivalries, La Chaume was attached to Les Sables d’Olonne in 1753. Nowadays, it is a picture-postcard, lively district. Don’t miss Place Sainte Anne.
THE FISHING HARBOUR
The first stones were laid in the 15th century on the orders of Louis XI.
In the 16th century, whale fishing, and the salt, wine, corn and sailing cloth trades made it one of the busiest harbours.
Then the great cod-fishing era took off on the banks of Terre-Neuve.
The fish was salted on the boat immediately after being caught, using salt from Olonne. This was then followed by the sardine and tuna fishing eras.
A series of works were undertaken in the 18th century to give the fishing harbour the form we see today, with its jetties and quays, etc…
THE PASSAGE DISTRICT
The Passage district with its narrow alleyways, leads from the quayside towards the ocean or the town centre. The way is lined with typical little fishermen’s houses with windows at ground level, and the old shipowners’ houses built at a time when Les Sables d’Olonne was the leading cod-fishing harbour in France.
L'ILE PENOTTE
Ile Penotte Tucked away in the town centre, just a few metres from the beach, as you turn the corner of every narrow, winding alleyway, you will stumble upon houses decorated in colourful shell mosaics…. the work of local artist, Mrs. ARNAUD-AUBIN.
THE ARAGO DISTRICT
The Arago district One of the numerous district constituting the Bout-de-ville area. Located East of Les Sables d’Olonne and structured around its market, the Arago district is busy all year round and full of little local shops.
LES SABLES D'OLONNE TOWN CENTRE
The town centre combines an historical heritage with colourful boutiques.
The pedestrianised streets encircle the Notre Dame de Bon Port church and turn it into a busy shopping district all year round
