5min · on foot
5 min on foot from L'Écrin.
Harbour · La Chaume
The harbour of La Chaume
The boats come in, the fish market comes to life, and the ocean light changes by the hour. The finest of first steps.
Surroundings
What if we set off from the house?
On foot, by bike or by car, here are our favourite places around L'Écrin de la Chaume.
How would you like to get there?
All destinations are shown (14).
You are here
L'Écrin de la Chaume
Family home · La Chaume — Les Sables-d'Olonne
The starting point for every outing.
02
Just a few steps away
Close the door behind you, and you're already there.
10min · on foot
10 min on foot from L'Écrin.
Swimming · For families
The Dombret pool
A natural seawater pool in La Chaume: a safe, family-friendly setting for swimming and water activities.
10min · on foot+ ferry
10 min on foot + ferry from L'Écrin.
Harbour · Les Sables-d'Olonne
The harbour of Les Sables-d'Olonne
Cross the channel on the little ferry and arrive on the other side, facing the lively quays of Les Sables. Bikes come on board too.
15min · on foot+ ferry
15 min on foot + ferry from L'Écrin.
Beach · Les Sables-d'Olonne
La Grande Plage
Our favourite
The seafront promenade, the sand and the ocean as far as the eye can see, just across the channel.
“Our favourite, when conditions are right.” — Albane & Stéphane
Photo: Alexandre Lamoureux
03
By bike, the holidays begin
Cycle paths link La Chaume and Les Sables, run along the coast and head out towards the marshes. All you have to do is choose a direction.
7min · by bike
7 min by bike from L'Écrin.
Beach · La Chaume
La Paracou
The coast of La Chaume, where the neighbourhood meets the ocean. You go there for the air, the view and the sound of the waves.
10min · by bike
10 min by bike from L'Écrin.
Neighbourhood · Heritage
The Île Penotte
A district of narrow lanes with façades decorated with shells. To be explored without hurrying.
Photo: Alexandre Lamoureux
15min · by bike
15 min by bike from L'Écrin.
Beach
Tanchet beach
Another side of the coastline, reached by following the shore.
20min · by bike
20 min by bike from L'Écrin.
Nature · Marshes
The salt marshes
The marsh landscapes, their birds, and the work of the salt makers, seen up close.
04
A little further
A few minutes by car, and a different kind of day.
8min · by car
8 min by car from L'Écrin.
Aquarium · For families
The Aquarium de Vendée
The underwater world to discover as a family, sheltered on rainy days.
10min · by car
10 min by car from L'Écrin.
History · Heritage
The Blockhaus Museum
An authentic Second World War hospital bunker, kept in its original state.
15min · by car
15 min by car from L'Écrin.
Wildlife park · For families
The Zoo des Sables
For a day out among the animals, at a child's eye level.
Photo: Zoo des Sables
15min · by car
15 min by car from L'Écrin.
Wellbeing
Côte Ouest thalasso spa
Thalassotherapy, spa, pool and seawater circuit. To be pampered, it's best to book.
15min · by car
15 min by car from L'Écrin.
Beach · Surfing
Sauveterre beach
For surfing, when the sea allows, at the edge of the Olonne forest.
Photo: Antoine Martineau
Then the road gets longer…
05
A day trip
No longer just next door: a whole day, planned ahead.
1h · by car
1 h by car from L'Écrin.
A whole day
The Puy du Fou
A day trip from the coast: leave early, come back late, and plan the drive. Tickets and shows are best checked in advance.
Photo: Puy du Fou
Along the way, or another day
More ideas
For curious days, and for rainy ones.
In the morning
The La Chaume market
Our favourite
Go with a basket and no shopping list.
Days and opening hours: The La Chaume market (opens in a new tab)Covered market
The Arago market
The covered market of Les Sables, one of the places we keep going back to.
Days and opening hours: The Arago market (opens in a new tab)Wild coast
The Puits d'Enfer
A cleft in the rock where the sea rushes in. Worth seeing when the ocean is rough.
Discover the site: The Puits d'Enfer (opens in a new tab)Museum
The Shell Museum
A collection to explore with children.
Discover the museum: The Shell Museum (opens in a new tab)Modern and contemporary art
The Abbaye Sainte-Croix museum
The art museum of Les Sables-d'Olonne, in a former abbey.
Discover the museum: The Abbaye Sainte-Croix museum (opens in a new tab)Event
The Vendée Globe
Every four years, the start of the race brings the harbour to life.
The Vendée Globe in Les Sables: The Vendée Globe (opens in a new tab)Ocean
Water sports
Surfing, paddleboarding, boat trips: the ocean can be enjoyed up close, too.
All activities: Water sports (opens in a new tab)An island
The Île d'Yeu
The boat crossing is already part of the journey.
Plan the crossing: The Île d'Yeu (opens in a new tab)An island
Noirmoutier
The island, for a day.
Discover the island: Noirmoutier (opens in a new tab)
Opening hours, prices and access conditions change with the seasons: remember to check them before you set off. At the house, the House Book gathers our favourite addresses.
And after exploring the Vendée…