Île d'Yeu

A slice of Brittany in Vendée

Île d'Yeu, located 17 kilometres off the Vendée coast, is a world apart. With its 23.3 km² and 5,000 inhabitants, it is the second-largest Ponant island after Belle-Île. Its character is closer to Brittany than to Vendée: jagged granite coasts, heather moorlands, authentic fishing ports. The island lives to the rhythm of the sea and its traditions.

The Côte Sauvage, a permanent spectacle

The island's western coast, known as the Côte Sauvage, is a grand natural spectacle. Over nearly 10 kilometres, granite and schist cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, sculpted by waves into arches, caves and pinnacles. The Vieux Château, a medieval fortress perched on a rocky spur battered by the sea, is the island's symbol. Built in the 14th century, it evokes a Scottish castle lost on the French coast.

Port-Joinville, the beating heart of the island

Port-Joinville, the main port, is a real working fishing harbour. Trawlers land tuna, sea bass, sole and lobster each morning, sold at auction. The colourful quays, lined with fish restaurants and lively terraces, offer a constant spectacle. The daily market under the hall is a must for tasting local produce.

A controversial page of history

Île d'Yeu is also known as the place of detention of Marshal Pétain, sentenced to life imprisonment in 1945. He spent his last six years in the Citadelle Pierre-Levée and was buried there in 1951 in the communal cemetery. This historical chapter, though controversial, is an integral part of the island's identity.

Practical information

Île d'Yeu is accessible from Fromentine with Yeu Continent (30 to 70-minute crossing depending on the vessel). In summer, services may also run from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Les Sables-d'Olonne. The island is perfectly suited to cycling, with a well-developed network of cycle paths and gentle terrain. Port-Joinville offers a wide choice of accommodation, restaurants and shops. The cycle tour of the island (approximately 25 km) is the classic excursion.