Les Sables-d’Olonne (“the sands of Olonne”) was founded in 1218 from Havre d’Olonne by Savary I de Mauléon.   Its history is tied to the ocean for which it has served as a port and point of maritime commerce, and it became the largest cod-fishing port in France in the 17th century.  During the French Revolution, the city supported the Republic, and so was often besieged—unsuccessfully, because of its port.  The current local tourism industry traces its roots to bathing establishments first begun in 1825 and rail service reached Les Sables on 29 December 1866, but express service to and from Paris would only arrive in 1971. The port served as a base for American Expeditionary Forces during World War I; Germany occupied Les Sables d’Olonne during World War II and, upon evacuation of that army at war’s end, the German army made an effort to destroy the port, and mined the harbor. Showing a more peaceful scene, in 1945 someone wrote an extensive message in French completely covering the back of this card, which is postally unused.  Grade: 4