Curiosities of Les Sables d’Olonne !!!

Posted in Europe, France

Once again, coming back from my road warrior trails in my belle France. This one is a first time as usually bypassed it south but glad finally stop by, its a gem, and we will be back, eventually,The town of Les Sables-d’Olonne is located in the Vendée department no, 85) in the Pays-de-la-Loire region of my belle France , Therefore, here is my take on curiosities of Les Sables d’Olonne !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The town of Les Sables-d’Olonne was formed on January 1, 2019, from the merger of the towns of Château-d’Olonne, Olonne-sur-Mer, and Les Sables-d’Olonne. The town is 42 km from La Roche sur Yon (see posts) from where we came from this time along the D160 road to the port and grande plage or big beach where we found free off street parking that was actually illegal but got away with a nice cop for free!! Otherwise 135 euro fine lol!! The town is 252 km from my current town,

The Halles Centrales or central market halls, in the heart of the city, in the Baltard style, house a daily market and a local producers’ market on Wednesdays and Saturdays; Built around fifteen years after the end of the Second Empire, under the Third Republic, the building was inaugurated in 1890. the market brings together, on two floors, around 65 traders and small producers. The Halles are inspired by Parisian models combining a frame of iron, brick and glass. They were renovated in 1990, on the occasion of their centenary. Currently , they are ongoing complete renovation with expected date in June 2026, There is, also, a fish market, on the fishing port; and the Arago covered market. The Marché des Halles éphèmère by Cours Louis Guédon The covered food market: 8h to 13h Tuesday to Sunday (including public holidays), every day in July and August until 13h30.

The Chapelle du Sacré-Cœur is a magnificent church, a remarkable historical monument, and a popular tourist attraction for visitors to the region. The construction of the chapel began in 1895, at the initiative of the Martin family. This family was very involved in the religious life of the town and financed the construction of the chapel in honor of their son, Louis, who was a priest. Construction of the chapel was completed in 1900 and it was consecrated by the Bishop of Luçon. In 1914, a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was added to the rear of the chapel, further strengthening its status as an important place of worship. The Chapelle du Sacré-Cœur is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture, with elements reminiscent of the great medieval churches. The chapel’s tower is particularly impressive, with a stone spire rising over 50 meters high. Inside the chapel, you can admire stunning stained-glass windows created by the renowned Mauméjean workshops in Bordeaux. These windows depict biblical scenes and holy figures and are particularly notable for their use of light and color to create a spiritual atmosphere.

Other things to see here are the Sainte-Croix Abbey Museum, the MASC (modern and contemporary art): with works by Victor Brauner, Gaston Chaissac, Philippe Cognée, Claude Viseux, Robert Combas, René Leleu, Albert Marquet, Peter Saul, etc., a room dedicated to popular arts and seaside practices, a series of conferences on modern art organized by the Society of Friends of the Museum, The Blockhaus-Hospital of Les Sables-d’Olonne, built by the nazis in 1943 and transformed into a museum on WWII, open to the public in 2017. The Château Saint-Clair, which houses the lighthouse known as the “Arundel Tower” at the top of its dungeon.

You find the Church of Sainte-Marie d’Olonne The basilica style of the oldest building in the Pays des Olonnes, used by the Carolingians, suggests that the church of Sainte-Marie d’Olonne existed before its first mention in 1042. The church burned down twice during the Wars of Religion and its furnishings were used as firewood by the troops stationed at Pierre Levée’s camp during the Vendée Wars. Marked by the revolutionary episode as its spire and roof had, according to the memoirs of the shipowner Collinet from Sables-d’Olonne, burned in 1797 after being struck by lightning, the church did not regain its roof until 1805.

The Saint-Jean d’Orbestier Abbey, Benedictine abbey founded in 1107 by William, Count of Poitou and Duke of Aquitaine , The Château de Pierre-Levée was built on the model of the Petit Trianon at Versailles in the 18C. Completed in 1777, the château was the site of a camp housing some of the troops responsible for defending the port of Les Sables during the Vendée wars. Several parts of the château (private property). The entrance to the main courtyard is through a beautiful wrought iron gate. The château has gardens from which the statues of naked goddesses that originally adorned it were removed in the 19C.

The Tanchet beach (shared with Les Sables d’Olonne); the Puits d’Enfer, a natural notch into which the ocean rushes at high tide; the dunes of Puits d’Enfer; the cove of Saint-Jean-d’Orbestier; the cove of Moines; the Bois Saint-Jean and its bunkers, remains of the Atlantic Wall; the bay of Cayola and its pebbles. This area is crossed by a cycle-pedestrian path. you find the plage de Sauveterre beach, a famous surfing spot; Granges beach located to the north of the village between the Olonne forest and the Havre de la Gachère channel which marks the separation with the towns of Brem-sur-Mer and Bretignolles-sur-Mer; Aubraie beach between Paracou beach (la Chaume) and Sauveterre beach; the Marais d’Olonne which begin at La Roulière, the old port of Olonne before it silted up.

The town of Les Sables d’Olonne on its heritage : https://ville.lessablesdolonne.fr/culture-patrimoine/patrimoine/architecture/

The Les Sables d’Olonne tourist office on its heritage: https://www.destination-lessablesdolonne.co.uk/faites-le-plein-de-culture-aux-sables-dolonne/

The Vendée dept 85 tourist office on Les Sables d’Olonne :https://www.in-vendee.com/24-hours-les-sables-dolonne

There you go folks, again, another gem of my belle France ! This is real country off the beaten path trails, Again, nice opportunity to see the town again, good for the soul and memories forever, Again, hope you enjoy the post on curiosities of Les Sables d’Olonne !!! as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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