The Shellfish Museum in Les Sables-d’Olonne

The Muséum du Coquillage is one of the must-see places to visit on a camping vacation near Les Sables d’Olonne in the Vendée. Housed in a historic building in Les Sables-d’Olonne, the museum boasts a huge collection of shells and marine life. An entertaining visit, 7.4 km from the Bois Soleil campsite, that will dazzle sea lovers!

Museum history

Since its creation in 1998, the Muséum du Coquillage has gone from strength to strength, becoming the largest museum dedicated to shellfish in Europe. Today, its incredibly rich collection includes over 50,000 models, from the rarest to the most unusual.

The museum immerses visitors in the fascinating world of seashells, revealing their secrets and beauty. An extraordinary testimony to the wonders of the seabed, it also raises public awareness of the need to preserve our seas and oceans.

Exhibitions at the Muséum du Coquillage

From the astonishing Venus comb from the Indian Ocean to impressive clam specimens, the museum houses curiosities from all over the world. Perfectly showcased, they are displayed on two levels, culminating in the superb Coupole room.

Visitors can admire an exceptional palette of colors and materials, right down to precious mother-of-pearl. The museum doesn’t forget the most fragile representatives of our ecosystem, such as corals and starfish. Among the many treasures on display are nautiluses, living fossils from prehistoric times, as well as thousands of species of crustaceans and even sharks.

Visits

Located in the fishing port of Les Sables-d’Olonne, the Muséum du Coquillage is open all year round. In July and August, the museum is open daily from 10am to 7pm. From February to June, and from September to December, opening hours are from 2pm to 6pm on Mondays, and from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

There are tours for children: a tour accompanied by Speedy and Glouton for 4-6 year-olds, and a tour with games and questions for 7-11 year-olds. Fun tours, with a surprise at the end! Guided tours are available at no extra charge.

What to do around Les Sables-d’Olonne?

After discovering the treasures of the Muséum du Coquillage, a stroll to Île Penotte is a must! Just a stone’s throw from the museum, this pedestrian district of Sables-d’Olonne is a surprising place, with its facades decorated with colorful mosaics created from… shells!

If you like sightseeing, don’t miss the Musée du Blockhaus Hôpital. An important historical landmark in Sables-d’Olonne, this former bunker has been transformed into a place of remembrance of the Second World War and the Occupation. The Sables-d’Olonne zoo is another option, close to the town center.

This large animal park offers a walk in the heart of nature to discover numerous protected species, right up to the most exotic animals. Of course, the Vendée coast also has its beaches! Just a few minutes from the campsite (access by shuttle bus), you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to put your towel or what water sports to try out.

Your camping holiday near Les Sables-d’Olonne

The Bois Soleil campsite is perfectly located, just a stone’s throw from Les Sables-d’Olonne and the Atlantic beaches. You’ll be staying in the heart of nature, in a vast wooded park where everything is in place for a successful vacation, from relaxation to sporting activities.

Our 4-star campsite offers large, planted pitches for your motorhome, caravan or tent vacation. You can also opt for one of our fully-equipped mobile homes. With a terrace and 1 to 4 bedrooms, these are comfortable solutions for enjoying your vacations in the Vendée.

Although very close to the beach, our 4-star campsite also has a large outdoor swimming pool, as well as a heated indoor pool. A paddling pool, waterslides and jacuzzi await you to keep the whole family entertained throughout your vacation near Les Sables d’Olonne!