Les Sables d'Olonne, a feast of culture to taste !
Real open-air museums, exhibitions & cultural events are an invitation to discover art and history. After relaxing for a moment at the pool or thalasso spa, the modern and contemporary art museum, the shell or car museums, the museum of popular traditions or even the zoological gardens will bring together the whole family for excursions full of surprises !.
The enchanting zoo
An oasis of green by the sea, Les Sables zoological gardens invite you on a journey into the animal kingdom. An unforgettable experience awaits with leafy passages, lush vegetation, fascinating encounters with over 200 animals (giraffes, wild cats, monkeys, reptiles…) in a natural environment resembling their own original surroundings.
Shellfish museum
One of the most visited sites of the Vendée. Its popularity is based on the richness, diversity and quality of the exhibits. ‘Immerse’ yourself into a fairy-tale world and discover a private collection that is unique in Europe: 4,500 tropical shellfish from all around the world, in an array of extraordinary shapes and shimmering colours. 230 showcases.
Sainte Croix Abbey museum
The museum of modern and contemporary art is housed in the old Sainte-Croix Benedictine priory founded in 1622. Built on over 2,500 sq.m. and with an extremely varied collection of exhibition spaces ranging from the bright temporary exhibition room to its 17th century attic in the shape of an upturned hull, the museum displays the works of Gaston Chaissac and Victor Brauner. In terms of history, the collection includes major works by Albert Marquet, Jean Dubuffet, Alberto Magnelli and Max Beckmann… Specifically focusing on its status as a contemporary art venue, the museum has assembled the works of Georg Baselitz, Robert Combas, Denis Laget and Christian Jaccard …
Sea & fishing museum
Two rooms, the first of which is devoted to the Navy in the olden days and the second to fishing. Exhibitions of models, objects of interest and various documents.
Sand museum
Discover the mysteries of the sand and its shifting patterns. This association has helped catalogue 13,000 samples from all over the world and invites visitors on a unique journey through many different countries. Observations, demonstrations, video, exhibitions …
Les Salines by boat,
immediate embarkation in the heart of the Olonne marshes.
Don't miss it the historical tour : the Jardin des Salines, a protected natural site where uoy can watch the salt workers harvesting the salt : the white gold !
Vendée automobile museum
The museum invites you to discover a family collection that began in 1939. In a hall measuring 3,300 sq.m. decorated throughout with an outstanding collection of posters and publicity ads of the time, visitors can admire the 160 vehicles on display (automobiles, cycles, motorcycles and horse-drawn vehicles) from the year 1885 up until the prototypes of the future. Reconstruction of the first garage (1929) belonging to Gaston GIRON, founder of the collection.
7th Continent aquarium 
Immerse yourself in some of the loveliest underwater landscapes that are just waiting to be explored. Each aquarium represents a different sea on the planet and contains a faithful reproduction of the specific marine environment. We invite you on a spectacular journey of adventure, an amazing tropical sea discovery trail, an otherworldly trip into the heart of a series of magical spaces with over 400 species of sea-life.escapade sous marine, plongez votre regard dans les mers du globe, dépaysement garanti, plus de 400 espèces dans les espaces magiques
Little station museum
An exploration of life in the Pays d’Olonne in the early 20th century : Agricultural instruments, tools, anecdotes, headwear.
Museum of folk traditions 
Housed in an old school built in 1891, this museum depicts the daily lives of the inhabitants of the Pays d’Olonne at the beginning of the 20th century. Discover the numerous exhibition halls, a classroom, costumes and head gear of the era, as well as many everyday objects (traditional craftsmanship, tools, furniture, kitchen utensils, etc…)
