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2026 events in Vendée
Gravel en Vie Festival: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April, organised by the Sardines Gravel Club, a local association from St Gilles Croix de Vie, in collaboration with the Pays de St Gilles Croix de Vie Tourist Office. On the programme for this second edition: 3 GRAVEL routes (60km, 120km and 200km) suitable for all abilities. Come and soak up the scenery and discover the Vendée.
The Sardine Spring Festival in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie from 25 April to 9 May 2026. On the programme: sardine feasts, cooking workshops, exhibitions, visits to the fish auction, gourmet workshops, and more.
Gospel evening: Friday 15 May 2026 at Saint-Gilles Church, “Les Chants de Coton” will be singing a cappella, thrilling us with gospel and Negro spirituals.
Museum night in Les Sables d’Olonne on 17 May 2026. For the 22st edition, all the museums in Les Sables d’Olonne will be opening their doors free of charge until 00:00.
During the Night of the Museums, rediscover the riches of the town’s museums in a fun or unusual way, with guided tours, self-guided tours, escape games or themed tours.
Jazz sur Vie: the 42th edition of the festival at the canning factory in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. On the programme: jazz, jazz and jazz :). This year’s festival takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24th of May 2026.
Free concert in the jazz village (quai du Port Fidèle) with tastings, shop, exhibition and stroll through the streets of St Gilles Croix de Vie.
The Vendée Arctique 2026 will set sail on Sunday 7 June 2026. The skippers will head back out to sea towards the Far North, sailing solo, non-stop and without assistance. They will depart from Les Sables d’Olonne to cross the Arctic Circle.
The race village, on the Vendée Globe esplanade, will be open from 30 May to 7 June 2026.
The Ironman in Les Sables d’Olonne the 5th of July 2026 Come and cheer on the athletes who have travelled from all over Europe to take up this sporting challenge.
“Les mains dans le sable” contemporary circus festival from the 24th to the 26th of July 2026. The festival will take place opposite the marina, and will feature a wide variety of artistic performances (acrobatics, concerts, painting exhibitions, etc.). Visitors will be able to try their hand at a range of activities (yoga, circus, etc.), and a craft market will be held during the day on Saturday and Sunday before the concert in the evening.
The Sardine Festival: come along to Quai Garcie Ferrande in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie for a day of music and good food on Sunday 26 July 2026.
Free concert with Bénabar on Saturday 4 August 2026 at Quai Garcie-Ferrande.
The harbour festival on Saturday 9 August 2026 – meet at Quai du Port Fidèle.
The Village des Saveurs et des traditions du pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, from the 21st to the 23rd of August is THE place to be for food lovers. is THE place to be for food lovers. With over 40 producers, there’s something for everyone.
The St Gilles Croix de Vie triathlon on Sunday 6 September 2026. Come and take part or cheer on the athletes, and what’s more, they’ll be passing right by the campsite 😉
The Golden Globe Race: 22 sailors from 12 countries will set sail on Sunday 6 September for a solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world race lasting more than 200 days, without GPS or electronics on board, just like in 1968!
