île d’Yeu
Ile d’Yeu, jewel of the Atlantic
Ile d’Yeu is an ideal place to enjoy nature and tranquillity. You can go for walks on this Vendéé island for over an hour without coming across any roads or people. The diverse scenery and rich flora of the island provide the perfect backdrop for a weekend break away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. With family, friends or a partner, walk or cycle along sign-posted trails to explore this unspoilt isle of 23km² which is very different from the coast of Vendée and offers sport and fitness activities and tourist attractions.
Explore the island from the Pointe du But in the north along the rugged coastline to the Pointe des Corbeaux in the south. In places the rocks make way for dunes and beaches of fine sand. Here and there you will come across remains of the past like dolmens or the Vieux Château, an old castle built on a rocky cliff during the Hundred Years’ War.
Ile d’Yeu is the perfect place for a total change of scene : wide open spaces, the sea, typical whitewashed houses with blue shutters, the bustling harbourside market, traditional food.
Yeu has 72 kilometres of sign-posted footpaths and seasoned walkers can walk around the island on the 28km coastal footpath (GR80 hiking path). To explore the island at a more gentle pace there are also 5 short walks or ‘sentes’ : sente des Marais, sente des Oyes, sente du Noroit, sente de Kreuzland, sente de la Meule. So there is plenty to keep you busy during your stay !
What to see and do on Ile d'Yeu
Apart from walking, cycling is also very popular on the island. You can bring your own or hire one from the many bike rental firms by the harbour, who will tell you the best way to explore the island. A complete tour of the island will certainly give you plenty to do ! You need to allow about 4½ hours with stops. Between visits there are plenty of traditional fetes to go to as well as a wide range of water sports like windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, diving – there’s definitely something for everyone !
Élise, PR officer at Gîtes de France Vendée, spent a weekend with friends on Ile d’Yeu and was bowled over by the little island : « What I really love about Ile d'Yeu is the way it is unspoilt, full of charm and mystery, far away from crowds of tourists. I hope it stays that way for a long time yet ! »
Yeu is 17 kilometres from the mainland, which makes it the furthest island from the Atlantic coast. Ferry crossings take less than an hour from Fromentine or Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to Port-Joinville, where fishing boats rub shoulders with pleasure boats. There are 2 ferry companies to choose from : Yeu Continent and La Compagnie Vendéenne.
As you can see, a stay on Ile d’Yeu is a relaxing experience with plenty to discover and a real change of scenery !
Discover Vendée with Gites de France Vendée : Sables d'Olonne, Puy du Fou
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Le Patis Rouhaud n° 1
in Saint-Jean-de-Monts - Vendée
