2026 comparison
Les Sables-d'Olonne vs Vertou: 2026 comparison
Les Sables-d'Olonne has more inhabitants than Vertou: 50,924 versus 26,684, or 91% more. Les Sables-d'Olonne covers a larger area (85.7 km² versus 35.7 km²), but Vertou is more densely populated: 748 inhabitants per km² versus 594.
The median apartment price is higher in Les Sables-d'Olonne: €4,717 per m² versus €3,574. The median standard of living is higher in Vertou (€31,190 a year versus €28,010).
The two cities are 73 km apart as the crow flies.
© Florian Pépellin, CC BY-SA 3.0
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
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Vertou
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 26,684 inhab.
- 343rd in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 35.7 km²
- Density
- 748 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Les Sables-d'OlonneVertou
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Les Sables-d'Olonne+91% | 50,924 | 26,684 | More populous: Les Sables-d'Olonne+91% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+7.1 pts | +11.8% | +4.7% | Stronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+7.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.8 pts | +17.7% | +14.9% | Stronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Vertou+26% | 594 | 748 | Denser: Vertou+26% |
| Under 15More young people: Vertou+7.2 pts | 10.1% | 17.4% | More young people: Vertou+7.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Les Sables-d'Olonne+20 pts | 41.8% | 22.0% | More seniors: Les Sables-d'Olonne+20 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Vertou+0.42 | 1.82 | 2.24 | Larger households: Vertou+0.42 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32% | 4,717 | 3,574 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+11% | 4,034 | 3,627 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+11% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2% | 13.7 | 13.4 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vertou+7% | 11.8 | 12.7 | More expensive: Vertou+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Vertou+5.6 pts | 65.7% | 71.3% | More homeowners: Vertou+5.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Vertou+13 pts | 62.3% | 75.1% | More houses: Vertou+13 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Vertou+2.7 pts | 9.8% | 12.5% | More social housing: Vertou+2.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Les Sables-d'Olonne+34 pts | 35.3% | 1.7% | More second homes: Les Sables-d'Olonne+34 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Vertou+1.2 pt | 3.4% | 4.6% | More vacant homes: Vertou+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Vertou+5.4 pts | 43.59% | 49.00% | Higher rate: Vertou+5.4 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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Vertou+11% | 28,010 | 31,190 | Higher: Vertou+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.6 pts | 9.2% | 6.6% | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Vertou+17% | €38,745 | €45,216 | Higher: Vertou+17% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Vertou+5.3 pts | 55% | 60% | More taxpaying households: Vertou+5.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Vertou+5.3 pts | 74.2% | 79.5% | Higher: Vertou+5.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5.0 pts | 11.8% | 6.9% | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Nicolas Chénéchaud | Rodolphe Amailland | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 98% | 98% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.5 times as high | 100.7513 in total | 39.7106 in total | More shops per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.5 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.5 times as high | 28.3144 in total | 11.230 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.5 times as high |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.6 times as high | 44.0224 in total | 16.945 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.6 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8% | 21.4109 in total | 19.953 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+31% | 2.010 in total | 1.54 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+31% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne4.0 times as high | 4.523 in total | 1.13 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne4.0 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 | 2 | 1 | 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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Les Sables-d'Olonne+11% | 4.2 | 3.8 | Better access: Les Sables-d'Olonne+11% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vertou+12% | 10.453 in total | 11.631 in total | More per capita: Vertou+12% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+36% | 15.378 in total | 11.230 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+36% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+51% | 9.046 in total | 6.016 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+51% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+42% | 3.719 in total | 2.67 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+42% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+3 | 6 | 3 | More facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+3 |
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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+10 | 21 | 11 | More schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+10 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+4 | 7 | 3 | More middle schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5 | 5 | 0 | More high schools: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5 | 5 | 0 | More facilities: Les Sables-d'Olonne+5 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Vertou3.0 times as high | 3.7 | 10.9 | Higher rate: Vertou3.0 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+99% | 8.3 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+99% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.0 times as high | 2.4 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.0 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vertou3.1 times as high | 0.9 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Vertou3.1 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.0 times as high | 11.5 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.0 times as high |
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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.4 °C | 13.2°C | 12.8°C | Warmer: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Les Sables-d'Olonne+24% | 2,324 | 1,873 | Sunnier: Les Sables-d'Olonne+24% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Vertou+15% | 747 | 859 | Wetter: Vertou+15% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Vertou+10 days/year | 116 | 127 | More rainy days: Vertou+10 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Vertou+17 days/year | 18 | 35 | More frost days: Vertou+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Vertou+11 days/year | 7 | 18 | More hot days: Vertou+11 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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+17 | 26 | 9 | More declarations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+17 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.4 times as high | 85.7 | 35.7 | Larger: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Vertou+28 m | 4 m | 32 m | Higher: Vertou+28 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Urban belt | Small town | |
| Department | Vendée (85) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Les Sables d'Olonne Agglomération | Nantes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Nantes | |
| Functional area | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Nantes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Les Sables-d'Olonne vs Vertou at a glance
| Criterion | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Vertou |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 50,924 | 26,684 |
| Change over 10 years | +17.7% | +14.9% |
| Density per km² | 594 | 748 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,717 | 3,574 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,034 | 3,627 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.7 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.59% | 49.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,010 | 31,190 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.8% | 6.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.2 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.7 | 10.9 |
| Average temperature | 13.2°C | 12.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,324 | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 85.7 | 35.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Les Sables-d'Olonne vs Vertou: your questions
Which is the larger city, Les Sables-d'Olonne or Vertou?
By population, Les Sables-d'Olonne: 50,924 inhabitants versus 26,684 for Vertou (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Les Sables-d'Olonne is the 134th largest city in France, Vertou the 343rd. By area, Les Sables-d'Olonne is also the larger (85.7 km²).
How far is Les Sables-d'Olonne from Vertou?
Les Sables-d'Olonne and Vertou are 73 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Les Sables-d'Olonne or Vertou?
To buy an apartment, Les Sables-d'Olonne is more expensive: €4,717 per m² (median price), versus €3,574 in Vertou (+32%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Les Sables-d'Olonne or Vertou?
In Vertou, half of the residents have a standard of living above €31,190 a year, versus €28,010 in Les Sables-d'Olonne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Les Sables-d'Olonne or Vertou?
Les Sables-d'Olonne: 2,324 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,873 in Vertou (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures