L'île Penotte, Shell mosaic district in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France
L'île Penotte is a residential neighborhood in Les Sables-d'Olonne where thousands of seashells decorate the walls to form intricate patterns, figures, and maritime scenes. The narrow streets allow visitors to examine the craftsmanship of these decorations up close and observe how each facade differs from its neighbors.
During the French Revolution, the area was known as L'île perdue before taking the name L'île Penotte in the 1800s. The seashell decoration movement started in the late 1900s and gradually transformed the appearance of this residential district.
Artist Danièle Arnaud-Aubin transformed the neighborhood starting in 1997 by decorating walls with detailed seashell mosaics from local and distant sources. This form of public art has become part of how residents express themselves and how visitors experience the district.
The neighborhood is open year-round and welcoming to visitors who can walk through at their own pace. Summer months offer additional art exhibitions that provide context and showcase the creative work happening in the district.
Each house facade tells its own story through different shell compositions featuring mythology, fairy tales, and nautical themes. These personal interpretations mean every wall functions as a standalone artwork with meanings tied to local history or residents' interests.
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