Vendee. The Prettiest Bather in Les Sables d’Olonne
History of the Competition in Les Sables d’Olonne
It was in 1930 that the Competition of “The Prettiest Bather”.
We find ourselves in other seaside resorts – during the same period – competitions bearing the same name, as well as in Paris in renowned swimming pools such as the Molitor swimming pool.
Festival Committee
The Festival Committee was the organizer. Thus, in 1937, it organized the Flower Festival, the Automotive Elegance Competition, the Prettiest Bather Competition, the Prettiest Baby and Most Beautiful Child Competition, as well as 3 athletics festivals and 8 sand building.
There were also other festivals in which he lent his support:
– 2 big beach parties, organized by “Le Phare”;
– 16 competitions and parties organized by “Le Matin”;
– 2 beach parties, organized by “Ric et Rac” and “Cadet-Revue”;
– and other various sponsored parties.
In total, around 30 beach parties for children took place during the three (summer) months in 1937.
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1930 COMPETITION
But back to 1930.
This is The Republican Vendée which makes the announcement of the first. In its issue of January 11, 1930, it indicates that the The Official Festival Committee met on Saturday January 4, 1930 at the town hall for the designation of the commissions and the development of the program of the festivals.
It is indicated : “(…) We can announce, as of today, that it has been planned, (…) for the first half of August, the competition for the prettiest bather, which is expected to obtain a certain success”.
Reproduction of press articles: © Archives de la Vendée
And it’s “The Republican Word” of August 23, 1930 which gives us the result.
“Organized by the Festival Committee and the Union of Tradesmen and Industrialists, the competition for the prettiest bather took place.
“Grace, elegance, beauty were competing.
The results were as follows:
Miss Laurent, 235 points;
Miss Barreau: 218 points; Miss Hercot, 197 points; Miss Palons, 193 points; Miss Destreilles, 191 points; Miss Noel, 184 points; Miss Madras, 183 points; Miss Caillavet, 178 points. »
We therefore now know that the 1st winner of the 1st Competition of ” The prettiest bather in Les Sables d’Olonne was Miss Laurent.
Reproduction of press articles: © Archives de la Vendée
Other newspapers like “The Star of the Vendée”limits itself to reproducing the diary of the Holidays of the 1930 season. We discover there in its edition of March 16, 1930 that the « Contest for the prettiest bather on the beach is scheduled for August 8, 1930.
But it’s thanks to the Journal “The Vendee” dated Sunday August 24, 1930, that we learn that the Concours de “The Prettiest Bather” from 1930 illuminated 2 prices:
– the Most Beautiful Bather, the result of which was given above, Mlle Laurent being the winner;
– but also a “Prettiest Costume” award (swim or beach).
The result being the following:
Miss Shield, 249 points;
Miss Barreau, 245 points; Miss Laurent, 231 points; Miss Raoult, 197 points; Miss Palons, 194 points; Miss Hercot, 193 points; Miss Destreilles, 181 points; Miss Madras, 178 points; Miss Caillavet, 155 points.
Reproduction of press articles: © Archives de la Vendée
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1931 COMPETITION
There were at least 27 candidates.
One of the candidates can be seen presenting herself on the podium in front of a bungalow; a poster announces Annual contest for the prettiest bather ».
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It seems that you have to show your Bathing Suit from all angles, which makes the candidates laugh a lot….
What is certain is that the competition attracts a crowd!
On the beach, in front of the cabins, on the Embankment, many are following the event.
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And here below the most beautiful photo showing the participants in the 1931 Competition.
It is almost certain that the two laureates are those who, in front on our left, carry in their arms two dolls representing the Queen of the Sands.
We saw above that in 1930, there were two Prizes: that of the “Prettiest bather” and that of the “Prettiest bathing suit”.
The candidate on the far left is certainly the “Prettiest bather”, and her neighbor the one who won the “Prix du Costume” (she wears what was called “pajamas” at the time).
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The fact that this pretty young girl is the subject of a unique photo – below – confirms the likelihood that she was the “Prettiest bather in Sables d’Olonne 1931”.
We know neither his name nor his first name… The very long searches carried out to recover this article have not enabled us to find them to date.
She carries in her left arm a doll of the queen of the sands which was given to him as a lot.
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1932 COMPETITION
“The Star of the Vendée” as well as other newspapers we only broadcast that the “Prettiest bather contest” will take place on August 10, 1932.
The organizers of the Festival Committee are particularly dynamic and original since they also offer a “Donkey Polo Tournament” on the beach.
This is a tournament that deserves to be relaunched in Les Sables d’Olonne, in winter only because of the maintenance of the necessary hygiene.
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1935 COMPETITION
“The Republican Vendée” of August 3, 1935 announces that the « Contest for the prettiest bather will take place on Friday August 9, 1935 at 3 p.m., with the patronage of the newspaper “Le Matin”.
“All beach regulars remember the tremendous success held every year for the prettiest bather contest and it is certain that the one on August 9 still exceeds its previous ones in interest.
This competition organized by the Official Festival Committee (…) will be endowed with many valuable prizes (…).
3 rankings will be established:
– 1° – Beauty and Elegance Contest (general group);
– 2° – Pajamas Contest (Note: this is beach and leisure clothing, very large, and not pajamas for sleeping…);
– 3° – Contest of (swim)suits. »
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1937 COMPETITION
The 1937 Coupe Concours held on Friday August 13, 1937 (according to the official agenda of the Committee).
The Commission of the “Prettier Bather” (August 13) and from “Prettier Baby” (August 25) was then composed of MM. Arnaud, Métais, Pédeneau, Bomard and Raymond.
3 successive prizes during the “Prettiest bather contest” in 1937:
– 1° – competition for the prettiest bather,
– 2° – (swim)suit contest,
– 3° – short film competition.
The Competition was scheduled on the beach, at the “Le Lido” establishment made available by the concessionaire of the beach, Mr. Haas. But due to bad weather, the Competition retreated to the Terraces of the Grand Casino.
And “the prettiest bather on the Plage des Sables-d’Olonne” in 1937 was Miss Yvette REY, a 16 year old girl.
the diary of the sands of August 20, 1937 we provide the list of laureates.
Reproduction of press articles: © Archives de la Vendée
The Vendée Dispatch of August 21, 1937 which provides us with his photo.
The task of the jury was, of course, difficult because “The competitors were all more graceful than each other. »
Reproduction of press articles: © Archives de la Vendée
We note with the greatest interest that at the time, Deputy Prefect Adrien Sarraute dared to get involved in a competition of this importance!
A Gala followed the Competition with the presence of the Queens of the Sands.
The Informateur de Seine-et-Marne of August 20, 1937 tells us that there were 24 candidates, that the winner Yvette Rey lived in Faubourg Saint-Maurice in Montereau (Seine-et-Marne). The newspaper specifies under the title “A jury in Sables d’Olonne confirms the verdict of the Montérélais” that “its success does honor to the grace and charm of Monterrey. We are pleased to recall that during an Aiglon-Club gala, Miss Rey had been elected Queen of Sex Appeal; our fellow citizens thus see their judgment confirmed (by the jury of Les Sables d’Olonne)“.
And ” EXCELSIOR” of August 17, 1937 insert a very nice photo on page 5.
(Daily launched by Pierre Lafitte on November 16, 1910 – June 1940). Excelsior revolutionized the Press of the time by inserting a large number of illustrations.
We see in this photo 12 of the 24 competitors including the winner – n°24 – Yvette Rey.
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1938 COMPETITION
– The competition took place on Friday August 19 on the Terraces of the Grand Casino.
The winner was Miss Andrée Cabret.
We know that :
– in 1949, the competition for “Prettiest bather in the sands” always existed.
In the “Republican Word”we learn that this same year 1949 were organized a Gymkana automobile, a horse show, the competition of the prettiest bather, and the competition of the most beautiful athlete!
HISTORICAL RESEARCH:
Philippe Brossard-Lotz / The Sand Reporter
[email protected]
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