L’Île Penotte, the unusual district of Les Sables d’Olonne

Les Sables d’Olonne, with its 25 km of coastline on the Atlantic coast of Vendée, is a popular destination for tourists. Here, water sports take center stage thanks to the vast stretches of sand, notably at the Grande Plage, named one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
But Les Sables also has its share of curiosities.

An island… in the heart of downtown!

There’s no need to get on a boat to discover Île Penotte. And with good reason: it’s right in the center of Les Sables d’Olonne, 8 km from the Bois Soleil campsite! Access is via the winding lanes behind the Remblai, which lead to half a dozen alleyways. You’re now on Île Penotte. And you’ll immediately realize that this is a must-see when staying in Les Sables d’Olonne.

That’s when it’s time to be surprised and delighted. It’s time to take your smartphone out of your pocket or get your camera ready!

House facades, doorways and even street name plaques are covered with mosaics made up of thousands of multicolored shells. The work is both meticulous and titanic, given the number and size of the surfaces to be decorated.

The “Lady of the Seashells” work

These compositions come to life in the hands of local artist Danièle Arnaud Aubin, who draws her inspiration for her frescoes from fairy tales and mythology. The idea came to her in 1977, when she wanted to enhance her native neighborhood. This daring gamble was crowned with success, with the support and blessing of the town council.

Since then, the beaches have shared the limelight with Danièle Arnaud Aubin. She is now known as “La Dame aux Coquillages”. A crowd of tourists and onlookers gather when she’s at work in front of a bare facade, shells in hand, especially when she’s working on the ground. The Sablaise artist is in constant demand from guidebooks and tourist magazines in the surrounding area (such as Bretignolles-sur-mer), as well as from radio and TV stations.

A mysterious origin

Île Penotte: where does this curious name come from? The origin of this name remains a mystery. We do know, however, that the district was called Île Perdue before the French Revolution, and that it subsequently took the name of one of its streets.

Nowadays, a visit to Île Penotte is a source of intense pleasure, in a quiet, entirely pedestrianized area. Take full advantage of the magical moment offered by this district like no other. You can’t pack your bags and leave Les Sables d’Olonne in the Vendée without spending a few hours here. You’ll leave Île Penotte feeling truly “glued”.

Something for everyone

Once you’ve left Île Penotte, you won’t be bored. Les Sables d’Olonne and the Vendée region are full of points of interest and activities.

Here are a few ideas to explore during your camping holiday near Les Sables d’Olonne:

the Museum of the Sea, at the foot of the Arundel Tower: over 45,000 exotic shells from all over the world.
the Museum of Popular Traditions, which recounts local history and customs.
sea outings and fishing along the bay. Some have commentary and take you as far as the coast of the Île de Ré.
Sailing schools, where you can learn the basics of sailing.
parasailing, at Port Olona.
the zoo, with over 500 animals.
hikes or bike rides to the salt marshes and encounters with the salt workers who harvest salt, the “white gold”.
leisure parks and two Escape Game centers for children.

To make your visits easier, we’ve put together 5 original D’Code walks around the city. All you need is a cell phone and a QR Code app.

This location is 7.8km from the Bois Soleil campsite.