Discover Les Sables-d'Olonne

Marie from Domaine de la Coutardiere
1 August 2026
8.00 AM
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A day in Les Sables-d'Olonne: beaches, walks and discoveries for all the family

Summary for those in a hurry

Approximately 30 minutes from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, Les Sables-d'Olonne is an ideal family outing. The large sandy beach, the Remblai promenade, the authentic La Chaume district and the artistic lanes of Ile Penotte make up a rich, accessible and joyful day out, perfect for a stay in a group gîte in the Vendée.

Les Sables-d'Olonne, a different kind of energy

Les Sables-d'Olonne has a different atmosphere. More lively. More vibrant. When you arrive, you immediately sense that the town lives to the rhythm of the ocean. The voices, the bicycles, the smell of waffles, the cries of seagulls...

It's busy, but never stuffy. It's a destination I like to recommend to families who want a full, lively day out that's easy to organise.

The Remblai: the emblematic promenade

It's impossible to come to Les Sables-d'Olonne without walking along the Remblai. This long promenade runs alongside the Grande Plage, facing the ocean. You can stroll along it, stop for an ice cream, watch the waves and the children run around. The beach is wide, supervised in summer, and perfectly suited to families: sand castles, swimming and free play.

A simple, reassuring place where everyone can find their place.

La Chaume: the neighbourhood with a soul

On the other side of the channel is La Chaume, the oldest part of Les Sables. You can get there on foot, by car or by taking the "petit passeur", a boat shuttle that children love. The streets are narrow, the houses colourful and the atmosphere calmer.

This is where the town's maritime history can be felt. It's the perfect place to slow down, take in the sights and see Les Sables in a different light.

L'Île Penotte: art to delight children

Île Penotte is one of my favourite places to visit with children. In this little district, the facades are decorated with frescoes made entirely of shells.

Each wall is a surprise. Children love looking for details, recognising marine animals and comparing patterns. It's a short, fun and truly original tour.

City of the sea, city of sailing

Les Sables-d'Olonne is also inextricably linked with the Vendée Globe. Every four years, the town becomes the starting point for this legendary non-stop single-handed race around the world. Even outside the race period, the port retains its strong identity linked to sailing and the great sailors.

It's often an opportunity to talk to children about adventure, courage and the sea.

Gourmet breaks and simple moments

In Les Sables, there are a thousand ways to treat yourself and your family: homemade ice creams on the Remblai, crêpes, fresh fish or a picnic overlooking the ocean.

There's no shortage of markets and small places to eat, and everyone can eat at their own pace, according to their own tastes.

You might be wondering?

Yes, the town is very family-friendly, with a large supervised beach, accessible walks and plenty of entertainment.

Yes, to discover the essentials. Two days means you can enjoy the beach and the neighbourhoods at your leisure.

Yes, the Remblai and the centre are well laid out and easy to access.

All year round, but spring and summer are ideal for making the most of the beach and the atmosphere.

An ideal outing during your stay at Domaine de la Coutardière

From Domaine de la Coutardière, our group gîte in the Vendée, Les Sables-d'Olonne can be reached in around 30 minutes. It's a perfect outing to slip into the week: a bit of town, a bit of beach, a lot of memories.

And the return to the gîte in the evening always has that special flavour... of peace and quiet after a busy day.

DISCOVER OUR GÎTE

Les Sables-d'Olonne, a day to remember

You rarely leave Les Sables-d'Olonne without an image in your mind: a child running across the sand, ice melting too quickly, the sun fading over the ocean.

Simple things. But they're often the ones we keep the longest.

Domaine de la Coutardière - heated indoor swimming pool Vendée

Domaine de la Coutardière exterieurs (2)

Marie and Ghyslain

About the authors of the article

We are Marie and Ghyslain, farmers in the Vendée and owners of Domaine de la Coutardière, a group gîte with indoor pool located in Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard, just a few minutes from the ocean.

We live at the heart of our family farm and have designed this place so that families and friends can get together, slow down and create real memories together.

Through this blog, we share our favourites in the Vendée, our ideas for outings and our good addresses, to make your stay here as easy as it is memorable.

CONTACT US

A day in Les Sables-d'Olonne: beaches, walks and discoveries for all the family

Summary for those in a hurry

Les Sables-d'Olonne, a different kind of energy

The Remblai: the emblematic promenade

La Chaume: the neighbourhood with a soul

L'Île Penotte: art to delight children

Gourmet breaks and simple moments

You might be wondering?

Is Les Sables-d'Olonne suitable for children?

Is one day enough?

Can I visit with a pushchair?

When should you come to Les Sables-d'Olonne?

An ideal outing during your stay at Domaine de la Coutardière

Marie and Ghyslain