Activities Sables d’Olonne
Just 30 km from our campsite in the Vendée, Les Sables d’Olonne, famous for the start of the Vendée Globe among other things, will attract the curiosity of the whole family with its beautiful beaches, its marina and its walks ever closer to nature…
What to do in Les Sables d’Olonne
Stroll through the dunes, marshes, footpaths and forests of the seaside and enjoy the fabulous scenery that the Pays des Olonnes has to offer. In town, you can also take advantage of atypical districts such as Ile Penotte and Le Prieuré Saint Nicolas, or walk along the embankment to Lac de Tanchet and Le Puits d’Enfer.
Whether you’re a beginner or a keen sailor, the Atlantic coast is the ideal spot for surfing, kite-surfing, canoeing or sea kayaking, jet-skiing and many other activities.
Delight your children with a visit to the Sables d’Olonne Zoo, the Château des Aventuriers or the Musée du Coquillage.
Because vacations are also about having fun, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and, for gambling enthusiasts, casinos.
Top 8 activities in Les Sables-d’Olonne
Visit the Shell Museum
An enchanting place where 45,000 exotic shells offer a colorful and extraordinary spectacle: fossils, mother-of-pearl, giant clams and corals rub shoulders with starfish, sea urchins, sponges and seahorses. Take home a souvenir from the museum store.
Take the kids to the Ecozoo des Sables
Discover almost 300 animals, including 55 exotic species, living in enclosures that reproduce their natural conditions as closely as possible. Dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity and exotic species, the zoo’s mission is to have as little impact as possible on the environment, and to pass on this commitment to visitors.
Visit to the Blockhaus Hospital Museum
A true relic of the 39-45 war, it was built in 1943 and has remained intact ever since. Comprising 20 rooms in a 350 m² complex, this Vendée landmark tells the story of a wartime hospital in action: period equipment, reconstructed scenes, mannequins in uniform, films – nothing is missing for a captivating plunge into the past.
Discover the Salt River on a 2-hour boat trip
Explore the Jardin des Salines, meet the salt workers in their workplace and discover superb landscapes and a history of smugglers and secret paths!
Take a hot-air balloon ride with Montgolfières du Bocage
Take to the skies at sunrise or sunset. Breathtaking scenery and unforgettable sensations.
Discover Les Sables-d’Olonne and the surrounding area
The ports and La Chaume to take the little tourist train. Two itineraries are available, with guided tours lasting around 45 minutes. Reservations recommended.
A sailing experience with Les Sports Nautiques Sablais
There are several ways to learn to sail, from a half-day to a full day on 8 or 12 m boats. You’ll discover the vocabulary of the sea and learn the basics of navigation during your camping vacation in Les Sables d’Olonne.
Come to Le Chocolatier Sablais workshop
For a gourmet guided tour. Discover the origins of chocolate, the secrets of its manufacture and enjoy a 45-minute tasting session. A real treat!
The Vendée Globe
This famous non-stop, non-assisted, single-handed sailing race thrills adventure and sea lovers alike. Every four years, this legendary competition takes off from Les Sables d’Olonne in Vendée. Each edition brings together the world’s best skippers, ready to take on the oceans in an extraordinary test of endurance. Combining sporting feats and technological challenges, the Vendée Globe is a genuine round-the-world race in which the sailors face the elements, often alone with themselves. This unique event attracts thousands of visitors and puts the Vendée region on the international map. A must-see experience to experience the emotion and atmosphere of a legendary competition.
