L'île Penotte, Shell mosaic district in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France
The neighborhood features walls decorated with thousands of seashells forming intricate patterns, figures, and maritime scenes throughout its narrow streets.
The area, initially known as L'île perdue during the French Revolution, received its current name L'île Penotte in the nineteenth century.
Artist Danièle Arnaud-Aubin started transforming the neighborhood walls in 1997 by creating detailed mosaics using local and exotic seashells.
The district welcomes visitors every day of the year, with art exhibitions taking place every Thursday during summer months.
Each house facade displays different narratives through shell compositions, incorporating elements from mythology, fairy tales, and maritime stories.
Location: Les Sables-d'Olonne
GPS coordinates: 46.49534,-1.78406
Latest update: March 8, 2025 10:24
The Pays de la Loire region is full of lesser-known sites revealing the history and diversity of this western France region. Beyond the typical tourist routes, these sites provide an authentic insight into local heritage, craft traditions, and preserved natural landscapes. Among these destinations are castles like Brissac, the tallest in France, and the fortress of Tiffauges, associated with medieval legends. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Gallery of the Apocalypse Tapestry in Angers, a 14th-century textile work, or the Fontevraud Abbey, a remarkable monastic complex. Curious visitors will also find unusual sites such as the Passage du Gois, a tidal road connecting Noirmoutier Island to the mainland depending on the tide, and the Epinay Mill, still operational today. This selection also includes specialized botanical gardens, such as Camifolia in Chemillé, thematic museums dedicated to Jules Verne or early 20th-century rural life, as well as vineyards and manors surrounded by gardens. These locations, often frequented by locals, offer a different perspective for exploring the Pays de la Loire.
L'ile Penote
37 m
Parc zoologique des Sables d'Olonnes
2.5 km
Phare des Barges
4.4 km
L'Armendèche lighthouse
1.7 km
Château de Pierre-Levée
4.5 km
La Tour d'Arundel
906 m
Muséum du Coquillage
296 m
Hospital Blockhouse Museum
543 m
Abbaye Saint-Jean d'Orbestier
5.1 km
Musée Sainte-Croix
570 m
Villa Mirasol
49 m
Phare de la Potence
1.1 km
Château Saint-Clair
916 m
Dunes du Puits d'Enfer
4.7 km
Villa Blanche
51 m
Pierres jumelles d'Olonne-sur-Mer
4.6 km
Villa Sans Souci
525 m
Église Sainte-Marie d'Olonne-sur-Mer
4.7 km
Prieuré Sainte-Croix
583 m
Église Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Port des Sables-d'Olonne
157 m
Musée des Traditions Populaires
4.8 km
Les Sables-d'Olonne West Jetty light
1.1 km
Les Sables-d'Olonne East Jetty Light
787 m
Immeuble 1, 3, 5, 7 rue Travot, 4, 4bis place Maréchal-Foch
28 m
Église Sainte-Marie-des-Olonnes des Sables-d'Olonne
222 m
Abbatiale Saint-Jean de l'abbaye Saint-Jean d'Orbestier
3.9 km
Chapelle du prieuré Saint-Nicolas des Sables-d'Olonne
1 km
Chapelle des Ursulines d'Olonne-sur-Mer
4.6 kmReviews
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