Hotel Les Embruns

The term “Olonne” in all likelihood derives from
the word “olona”, of Celtic origin, which designated a small hill, a knoll
emerging above the water.

The name Olona doubtless referred
at the time to the Île Vertime, this barrier beach terminated by
a rock on which the first houses were erected, which is now La Chaume.

A little history

While La Chaume had existed as a parish since the
11th century, the town of Les Sables originated in 1472 by the grace of
King Louis XI, who, discovering “the haven of Les Sables d’Olonne”, decided
to protect it by surrounding it with walls, thereby launching the development
of a new town. In the 18th century, Les Sables annexed La Chaume to form
a single municipality.

Les Sables lived through the centuries with the reputation
of a great fishing port (cod fishing in the 17th century, tuna and then
sardine fishing in the 20th century).

In the 19th century, the surge in sea bathing was
the occasion for extraordinary economic growth.

Access
to the “History” pages from the Les Sables d’Olonne city site (in french)

Image Credits: Hôtel Les Embruns, tous droits réservés

During the Roman era La Chaume was a fishing village on the island of Vertime, but over the centuries the sea that separated the island from the mainland silted up and it became a part of the mainland.

The shifting sand dunes were then stabilized with the planting of a forest of pine trees which today is the forêt d’Olonne.

The village of la Chaume was joined to les Sable-d’Olonne in 1753 in order for the little port to avoid paying the taxes that were crippling it.

At the entrance to the ocean stands the Priory of St. Nicholas, this ceased to be a religious establishment during the XVII century  when Sorbise turned it into an arms store, and it is still occasionally referred to as Fort St. Nicholas.

Built in the 14th century by the Princes of Talmont, the Tower of Arundel is all that is left of the Chateau St. Clair, measuring 33m high, it made an ideal lighthouse.

Today there are pleasant walks around the church of St. Nicholas and along the coast to the Pointe du Grouin Cou and there are few small beaches between the rocks.

One could take in the small narrow streets of the old town or wander along the quayside to Port Olonna with its many bars and restaurants.

Every four years the world’s most prestigious single handed around the world sailing race, “The Vendee Globe”, leaves from the port.

You can take the ferry across the harbor to Les Sables d’Olonne which operates throughout the year.