Festival des Sables

The Festival des Sables: French chanson facing the ocean

Created in 2025 by the FDSO association (Festival Des Sables d'Olonne), the Festival des Sables is a summer music event that takes place on the majestic esplanade of the Prieuré Saint-Nicolas, an emblematic heritage site in Les Sables-d'Olonne overlooking the entrance to the channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Sponsored from its very first edition by Patrick Bruel, the festival immediately found its audience, bringing together nearly 5,000 spectators over three evenings.

A unique heritage setting

The Prieuré Saint-Nicolas, fully renovated in 2004, offers a spectacular setting for open-air concerts. The esplanade, lined with 18th-century cannons and overlooking the ocean, creates an intimate and warm atmosphere where artists and the public share a rare closeness. The central stage, set up facing the stands and the pit, benefits from remarkable natural acoustics carried by the sea breeze.

A program focused on French chanson

The Festival des Sables has chosen a program resolutely focused on French chanson and variety music, welcoming established artists and rising talents. The first edition featured Anne Sila, Patrick Bruel, Ycare, Michel Jonasz, Léonie, and Gaëtan Roussel. For 2026, the festival continues on this path with Patrick Fiori, Marine, Laurent Voulzy, Boulevard des Airs, and new discoveries.

A festival rooted in its territory

Organized by Clémence Chérier and her father within the FDSO association, in partnership with Menco and Radio Alouette, the Festival des Sables has deliberately chosen to position itself at the end of June, before the peak tourist season, to respect the lives of the inhabitants while offering a festive launch to the summer in Les Sables. This strategic choice contributes to the cultural dynamism of the seaside resort and enhances its attractiveness beyond the traditional summer season.