Golden Globe Race
In the heart of Les Sables d'Olonne
In 1968, between June and October, 9 sailors left their home ports in Great Britain for a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe. Only one crossed the finish line: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, after 313 days at sea. To mark the 50th anniversary of this legendary race, which inspired the Vendée Globe, Les Sables d'Olonne is saying YES to the mother of all races: the Golden Globe Race. The Grand Depart will take place on 1 July 2018. The competitors will have to sail with the means of the time: no autopilots, no satellite navigation aids, no electronic instruments... or almost none at all. For safety reasons, their boats will be equipped with a positioning beacon, a system for sending written messages, and a satellite telephone for communicating with the organisers. Unlike the Vendée Globe, there will be no modern boats. Competitors in the Golden Globe Race must sail boats of no more than 11m designed before 1988.
The course of events
A symbolic departure will take place from Falmouth in England on 14 June 2018, the day on which Sir Robin-Johnston boarded his 10m ketch, the Suhaili, and set off on this legendary race. It will be at Port Olonna in Les Sables d'Olonne that the fleet will settle in for a fortnight before the Grand Départ on 1 July 2018. As in 1968, the sailors in the 2018 Golden Globe Race will follow a simple route: they will set off from Les Sables d'Olonne on 1 July and sail around the world the old-fashioned way, single-handed, non-stop and without assistance, via the five major capes to return to Les Sables d'Olonne once again. We'll have to be patient to see the first finish, as it's expected to take at least 220 days to complete the course, which means spring 2019.
Les Sables Zoo
Les Sables Zoo is the forerunner of a new type of zoo combining respect for its environment, protection of exotic and local biodiversity and raising visitors' awareness of eco-citizenship. Located in the heart of the town of Les Sables d'Olonne, the Zoo is a 3-hectare island of greenery, anchored on the Vendée shore. It is home to around 280 animals belonging to more than 40 endangered species, attracting nearly 160,000 visitors every year, making this animal park the second-largest tourist attraction in the Vendée.
Don't forget to take the whole family to visit the Ecozoo in Les Sables d'Olonne. It's an extraordinary opportunity to discover animals and a world where biodiversity is respected and protected.
Address Route du tour de France 85100 LES SABLES D'OLONNE
5 kms - About 15' by car
Tel : 02.51.95.14.10
Website : http://www.zoodessables.fr
The Museum of Shellfish
A private collection that is unique in Europe, both for the quality of the pieces on display and for the wealth, diversity and number of shellfish on display.
Thousands of shells in extraordinary shapes and shimmering colours for everyone to enjoy.
Address: 8 rue du Maréchal Leclerc 85100 LES SABLES D'OLONNE
3 kms - About 10' by car
Tel: 0251235000
Website : http://www.museumducoquillage.com
The Ile Penotte district
Nestling in the town centre, just a few metres from the beach, in the narrow, winding streets, the houses are decorated with mosaics made from multicoloured shells. The work of local artist Mme Arnaud-Aubin, "la dame aux coquillages".
The Ile Penotte is made up of winding, twisting and turning alleys. They are known here as "venelles", and their names are sometimes surprising: rue Travot, rue d'Assas, rue Trompeuse, rue des Corderies or Rue des Bains... Don't hesitate to take a stroll!
Address: Rue des Bains, Centre Ville 85100 LES SABLES D'OLONNE
2.5 kms - About 5′ by car
Website : www.ile-penotte-lessablesdolonne.com
Saint-Nicolas Priory
The restored priory has become a venue for meetings and cultural events. A beautiful site with the Péris en Mer monument-fresco. The Priory offers a superb, uninterrupted view over the bay of Les Sables d'Olonne.
Built in the 16th century, it was La Chaume's first place of worship. Transformed into a fort at the end of the 18th century, then into a powder magazine until the end of the 19th century, it was completely renovated in 2004.
Address: Quai des Boucaniers 85100 LES SABLES D'OLONNE
2.5 kms - About 5' by car
The Museum of Popular Traditions
In Olonne sur Mer, the Musée des Traditions Populaires, housed in a former school built in 1891, presents the daily life of the inhabitants of the Pays d'Olonne at the beginning of the 20th century, a region that is both maritime and rural.
Discover traditional crafts, costumes and headdresses, a rural interior, seaside activities, a classroom and memorabilia from the 1914-1918 war in 6 exhibition rooms.
Address: 30 rue du Maréchal Foch 85340 OLONNE SUR MER
1.5 kms - About 5' by car
Tel: 0251969553
Website : http://memoiredesolonnes.wixsite.com/musee-traditions
