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Please expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French Wikipedia. (December 2008) After translating, {{Translated|fr|Les Sables-d'Olonne}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance.Translation instructions · Translate via Google |
Coordinates: 46°29′50″N 1°47′00″W / 46.497222°N 1.783333°W
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Commune of Les Sables-d'Olonne |
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| Location | |
  Les Sables-d'Olonne
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| Administration | |
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| Country | France |
| Region | Pays de la Loire |
| Department | Vendée |
| Arrondissement | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
| Canton | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
| Intercommunality | Olonnes |
| Mayor | Louis Guédon (2004–2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 0–26 m (0–85 ft) |
| Land area1 | 8.83 km2 (3.41 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 16,105 (2006) |
| - Density | 1,824 /km2 (4,720 /sq mi) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 85194/ 85100 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Les Sables-d'Olonne (Fr: Les Sables d’Olonne, "the sands of Olonne") is a seaside town in western France, by the Atlantic Ocean. It is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Vendée department.
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Events
The Vendée Globe yacht race, which takes place every four years, starts and ends at the Sables-d'Olonne.
Personalities
The town is the birthplace of pirate François l'Olonnais.
Points of interest
Musée de l'Abbaye Sainte-Croix Situated in a 17th century building, the museum is devoted to modern and contemporary art. This municipal museum has "Musée de France" status. Two principal artists are represented : Gaston Chaissac(1910-1964) and Victor Brauner(1903-1966).
History
The history of Sables-d'Olonne has been linked with the sea ever since its foundation in 1218 from Havre (harbor) d'Olonne by Savary Ier de Mauléon, the lord of Mauléon, Sénéchal of Poitou and prince of Talmont.
- In 1472, Louis XI divided Les Sables d'Olonne from the town of Olonne.
- In the 17th century, the port of Les Sables d'Olonne was the largest cod-fishng port in France, with 14 000 inhabitants
- During the French revolution, the city supported the Republic, unlike the surrounding Vendee. Thus it was often besieged, but unsuccessfully, thanks to its port.
- The first bathing establishments were started in 1825, intitiating the local tourism industry.
- On 29 December, 1866, the railroad reached Les Sables, on the line from La Roche-sur-Yon, Bressuire, Saumur, and Tours. Express service from Paris would arrive in 1971.
- During the night of the 27th of August, 1944, the occupying German army evacuated, destroying the port and mining the harbor.
Twin towns
Les Sables-d'Olonne is a twin town of
See also
References
External links
- City council website (in French)
- Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendee Globe Race (in english)
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