The coastal landscape has been growing steadily for two centuries, and the town of Les Sables d'Olonne has become a tourist destination, not to say very touristy, with a huge influx of holidaymakers during the school holidays, and a population that multiplies almost tenfold at its peak in August.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the fine sandy beach was overlooked by large, magnificent dunes that protected the fishing village from bad weather such as the wind and rising seas. A little anecdote: in those days, the sea wasn't used for bathing as we think of it today, but as a primary means of rinsing off for sailors returning to their destinations. Then came the fashion for sea bathing with the arrival of British aristocrats on holiday, who gradually transformed the urban landscape of Les Sables d'Olonne by building houses behind the dune, then on top of it, and finally at the foot of the dune facing the sea.
Over time, beautiful architecture has emerged to make our beautiful town of Les Sables d'Olonne so typical and pleasant: pretty hotels such as the façade of the CALME DES PINS dating from 1906 naturally promote the town's tourist life. The pretty houses of Les Sables can be found all along the embankment overlooking the beach, particularly in the residential area of Les Présidents.
The fishing port has grown over the years, along with the extension of the yachting and commercial port, which separates the La Chaume and Sables d'Olonne districts.
Between rest and relaxation in a town with all the pleasures of a seaside resort: A holiday destination not to be missed
