SABLÉ, a town of France, in the department and on the right bank of the Sarthe, at its confluence with the Erve, 27 miles W.S.W. of Le Mans. It is a beautiful town, almost encircled by the river, which is spanned by a bridge of black marble. Sablé was formerly strongly fortified, but the defences have been all destroyed. On a height above the town stands a splendid mansion built upon the site of an old castle. Gloves, hats, serge, &c., are made here; and marble is quarried in the vicinity. There is some trade in corn, fruit, and marble. Pop. 5282.
SABLES D'OLONNE, LES, a town of France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Vendée, on a peninsula on the coast of the Atlantic, 20 miles S.S.W. of Napoleon (formerly Bourbon) Vendée. Part of its site consists of level ground, hardly raised above the sea; the remainder is slightly elevated in the form of an amphitheatre. Several of the streets are long and handsome. Two churches, a nunnery, alms-houses, schools, hospitals, and a prison are among the establishments of the place. There is a lighthouse, and a harbour capable of accommodating vessels of 200 tons burden. The town is de-
fended towards the sea by a fort and battery; and on the land side by salt marshes and a wall. Pop. (1856) 6133.