2026 comparison
Challans vs Les Sables-d'Olonne: 2026 comparison
Les Sables-d'Olonne has more inhabitants than Challans: 50,924 versus 23,627, or 2.2 times as many. Les Sables-d'Olonne is both larger (85.7 km² versus 64.8 km²) and more densely populated (594 inhabitants per km² versus 364).
The median apartment price is higher in Les Sables-d'Olonne: €4,717 per m² versus €2,604. The median standard of living is higher in Les Sables-d'Olonne (€28,010 a year versus €25,830).
The two cities are 35 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Challans
City in Vendée
- Population
- 23,627 inhab.
- 390th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 64.8 km²
- Density
- 364 per km²
© Florian Pépellin, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Les Sables-d'Olonne
City in Vendée
- Population
- 50,924 inhab.
- 134th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 85.7 km²
- Density
- 594 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ChallansLes Sables-d'Olonne
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.2 times as high | 23,627 | 50,924 | More populous: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.0 pts | +9.8% | +11.8% | Stronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsTie | +17.7% | +17.7% | Tie |
| Density per km²Denser: Les Sables-d'Olonne+63% | 364 | 594 | Denser: Les Sables-d'Olonne+63% |
| Under 15More young people: Challans+3.5 pts | 13.6% | 10.1% | More young people: Challans+3.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Les Sables-d'Olonne+9.3 pts | 32.5% | 41.8% | More seniors: Les Sables-d'Olonne+9.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Challans+0.17 | 1.99 | 1.82 | Larger households: Challans+0.17 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+81% | 2,604 | 4,717 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+81% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+51% | 2,667 | 4,034 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+51% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5% | 13.0 | 13.7 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+9% | 10.8 | 11.8 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+9% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Les Sables-d'Olonne+4.8 pts | 61.0% | 65.7% | More homeowners: Les Sables-d'Olonne+4.8 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Challans+13 pts | 75.4% | 62.3% | More houses: Challans+13 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Challans+2.2 pts | 12.0% | 9.8% | More social housing: Challans+2.2 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32 pts | 3.0% | 35.3% | More second homes: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Challans+2.9 pts | 6.3% | 3.4% | More vacant homes: Challans+2.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+3.6 pts | 40.01% | 43.59% | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+3.6 pts |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8% | 25,830 | 28,010 | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Challans+1.2 pt | 10.4% | 9.2% | Higher: Challans+1.2 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+26% | €30,767 | €38,745 | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+26% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8.0 pts | 47% | 55% | More taxpaying households: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Challans+1.9 pt | 76.0% | 74.2% | Higher: Challans+1.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.5 pt | 11.4% | 11.8% | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.5 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexandre Huvet | Nicolas Chénéchaud | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.6 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.6 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Challans+7% | 107.9255 in total | 100.7513 in total | More shops per capita: Challans+7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+24% | 22.954 in total | 28.3144 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+24% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+53% | 28.868 in total | 44.0224 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+53% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+27% | 27.164 in total | 21.4109 in total | More per capita: Challans+27% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+16% | 1.74 in total | 2.010 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+16% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+78% | 2.56 in total | 4.523 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+78% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Les Sables-d'Olonne+35% | 3.1 | 4.2 | Better access: Les Sables-d'Olonne+35% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+29% | 8.019 in total | 10.453 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+29% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans2.7 times as high | 41.197 in total | 15.378 in total | More per capita: Challans2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+7% | 8.520 in total | 9.046 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+7% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+47% | 2.56 in total | 3.719 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+47% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2 | 4 | 6 | More facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2 |
Practitioners and facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print); access to doctors includes those in neighboring communes. Sources: Ministry of Health (DREES), APL, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Health (Finess)
Education
Schools and colleges
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 | 9 | 21 | More schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2 | 5 | 7 | More middle schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 | 4 | 5 | More high schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+4 | 1 | 5 | More facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Challans+9% | 4.0 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Challans+9% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+34% | 6.2 | 8.3 | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+34% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Challans+10% | 2.7 | 2.4 | Higher rate: Challans+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Challans+77% | 1.6 | 0.9 | Higher rate: Challans+77% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+30% | 8.8 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+30% |
Offenses recorded in the commune by the police and gendarmerie, per 1,000 inhabitants (per 1,000 homes for burglaries); this is not the actual crime level. Rates for the latest published year. Source: Ministry of the Interior (SSMSI)
Climate
Temperature, sunshine and rain
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.4 °C | 12.8°C | 13.2°C | Warmer: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,324 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Challans+2% | 762 | 747 | Wetter: Challans+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmTie | 116 | 116 | Tie |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Challans+8 days/year | 26 | 18 | More frost days: Challans+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Challans+1 days/year | 8 | 7 | More hot days: Challans+1 days/year |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 | 14 | 26 | More declarations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32% | 64.8 | 85.7 | Larger: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Challans+8 m | 12 m | 4 m | Higher: Challans+8 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Urban belt | Urban belt | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Vendée (85) | Vendée (85) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes Challans-Gois Communauté | Communauté d'agglomération Les Sables d'Olonne Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne | |
| Functional area | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Challans vs Les Sables-d'Olonne at a glance
| Criterion | Challans | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 23,627 | 50,924 |
| Change over 10 years | +17.7% | +17.7% |
| Density per km² | 364 | 594 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,604 | 4,717 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,667 | 4,034 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 13.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 40.01% | 43.59% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,830 | 28,010 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.4% | 11.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.1 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 3.7 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 13.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,324 |
| Area km² | 64.8 | 85.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Challans vs Les Sables-d'Olonne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Challans or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
By population, Les Sables-d'Olonne: 50,924 inhabitants versus 23,627 for Challans (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Les Sables-d'Olonne is the 134th largest city in France, Challans the 390th. By area, Les Sables-d'Olonne is also the larger (85.7 km²).
How far is Challans from Les Sables-d'Olonne?
Challans and Les Sables-d'Olonne are 35 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Vendée).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Challans or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
To buy an apartment, Les Sables-d'Olonne is more expensive: €4,717 per m² (median price), versus €2,604 in Challans (+81%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Challans or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
In Les Sables-d'Olonne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,010 a year, versus €25,830 in Challans (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Challans and Les Sables-d'Olonne in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Vendée (85), in the Pays de la Loire region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures