La Baule Local History

The resort's history begins with the inauguration of the Nantes-Guerande rail link in 1879, it was originaly called La Bole. La Bole became La Baule in 1896, with streets drawn out from avenue de Gaulle linking the station to the seaside, with more and more buildings, a promenade on the seafront and a pier. The town become a privilieged site for family holidays.

The tourist industry grew stronger in the 1920's. After World War I there were many international visitors to La Baule. In order to gain the loyalty of these new customers, Le Casino was enlarged; luxury shops appeared; L'Hermitage was built; and sports facilities were set up.

From the 1950s, La Baule experienced new development due to improved living standards; paid holiday leave; and the success of cars. Its architecture changed to accommodate the new holiday-makers : the villas were replaced by residential buildings enabling more people to enjoy the seaside. The popularirty of La Baule, led the town to increase its accommodation capacity, mainly with buildings on the seafront boulevard. Today, La Baule is a pleasure capital which attracts a mix of people from around the world.

La Baule Attractions

Top Attractions

La Baule Restaurants and Bars

La Baule Restaurants

Barbade - bd. Rene Dubois. This restaurant, designed like an oversized greenhouse; full of plants and big windows, serves excellent local cuisine at reasonable prices. On the menu you'll find sole meuniere; grilled dorado; stuffed oysters; and a hefty chunk of baked goat cheese with a crisp outer skin.

Au Moulin Des Saveurs - 66, avenue du General de Gaulle. This seaside restaurant is one of the best in La Baule, with excellent service and delicious food it is understandable why it's so popular. They serve a range of local seafood dishes, their speciality is tajine of fish. The prices are very reasonable.

L'Eden Beach - 5 Esplanade Lucien Barriere Hermitage. This is another excellent seaside restaurant, with seating indoors and outdoors on the terrace. Their speciality is seafood: crayfish paella; lobster and moulds in chorizo; and papillotte of St Pierre in seaweeds are all excellent.

La Baule Bars & Clubs

Le Paradise - 10 av. Pavie. This is the newest, biggest and most popular disco in town. It is noted for its big dance floor nad phallic-like pillar rising from it, on top if it there is a semi-naked woman dancing. This is a great place to go if you're looking to dance the night away, while meeting new people.

Le Bax - 12 av. de Pavie. This is a great bar to start of sampling some of La Baule's nightlife when you've just arrived. It is popular with tourists mostly, here you can kick back and have a few drinks, while meeting people and finding your way in town.

Le Sailor - 305 av. Marechale-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny. This interesting and cozy bar is very popular with the locals and tourists alike. It is a great place to go to have a few drinks and mingle with some locals. They serve a wide range of beers and spirits, the prices are quite reasonable.