Tour of the Île d'Yeu

A beautiful coastal hike that goes all the way around the island.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 27.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 69 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 67 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 28 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From Port Joinville, head south along the road that runs alongside the port. Then walk along Tourette beach, passing between the municipal campsite and Ker Châlon beach. Continue to Pointe Gilberte.
Pass by the water sports centre to reach Pointe Gauthier. Then walk along several beaches: Plage des Sapins, Petite Conche, Ovaires and Grande Conche, to reach Pointe des Corbeaux and its lighthouse.

(1) Head back up the south-west coast, following the path that runs along the cliffs. At the village of La Croix, go around Plage des Vieilles.

(2) At the end of the beach, take the path on the left towards Pointe des Vieilles. You will then come across a series of pretty coves: Anse des Soux and Anse des Fontaines. Stay on the path closest to the cliff, ignoring several paths on the right, to reach a pretty white chapel overlooking the equally pretty fishing port of La Meule, in a rural setting.

(3) After a relaxing break, cross the RD22a.

(4) Climb up the cliff on the left via a path and reach Pointe de la Père.
Pass the quarry on your left and continue to a crossroads.

(5) Take the path on the left towards Cap des Degrés to reach the ruins of the Old Castle.

(6) Continue along the coast to reach the pretty Plage des Sabias. Continue straight on to Pointe du Châtelet and its Calvaire des Marins, then head north. Pass Plage des Sables Rouis and its caves and Plage de Belle Maison to reach Pointe du Château Maugarni.

(7) Walk along the airfield on your right to reach Pointe du But.

(8) Turn east onto the path and continue more or less along the coast (dolmens and menhirs). Before reaching Plage de la Gournaise.

(9) Take the path on the right, which quickly leads to a crossroads.

(10) Continue straight ahead to reach Ker Pierre Borny.

(11) Go straight ahead at the first intersection.

(12) Turn left at a 90° angle and you will arrive at a three-way junction.

(13) Turn right and head towards the centre of Port Joinville to reach the port (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Port Joinville
  2. 1 : km 7.81 - alt. 11 m - Pointe des Corbeaux and lighthouse
  3. 2 : km 10.77 - alt. 12 m - Intersection of Pointe des Vieilles
  4. 3 : km 14.2 - alt. 9 m - Chapel
  5. 4 : km 14.25 - alt. 4 m - Crossing the D22a
  6. 5 : km 15.55 - alt. 26 m - Intersection of Cap des Degrés
  7. 6 : km 16.64 - alt. 21 m - Ruins of the Old Castle
  8. 7 : km 19.99 - alt. 13 m - Pointe du Château Maugarni
  9. 8 : km 21.94 - alt. 7 m - Pointe du But
  10. 9 : km 23.88 - alt. 6 m - Intersection of Plage de la Gournaise
  11. 10 : km 24 - alt. 8 m - Carrefour du Dolmen
  12. 11 : km 25.37 - alt. 11 m - First intersection: Ker Pierre Borny
  13. 12 : km 25.46 - alt. 10 m - Second intersection: Ker Pierre Borny
  14. 13 : km 25.72 - alt. 7 m - Three-way junction Ker Pierre Borny
  15. S/E : km 27.15 - alt. 4 m - Port Joinville

Notes

Much of the area can also be explored by bicycle (rentals available on site).
Numerous hiking trails.

Cost of the crossing (2011 - full price):
- Compagnie Yeu-Continent: €17.80 for the crossing (30 mins) from Fromentine (La Barre de Monts)
- Compagnie Vendéenne: €34.50 for a same-day return trip or €17.25 for the crossing (45 mins) from Fromentine
- Compagnie Vendéenne: €34.50 for a same-day return trip or €15/€20 (depending on the timetable) for a crossing (60 mins) from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Other fares and preferential rates can be found on the companies' websites

There is a municipal campsite south of Port-Joinville (very pleasant out of season, I don't know about high season)

Worth a visit

Sights: Fort de Pierre Levée

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 27338222

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent tour of the island starting from the municipal campsite. I particularly loved the south-east and south-west coasts of the island.
I followed the GRP trail markers. Don't forget your swimsuit.
Thank you for this wonderful discovery of the island.

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buzuck35
buzuck35

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely two-day walk
the route is marked as 27 km, but as we were staying 15 minutes from Port Joinville, we had to cut across to the centre of the island halfway through. So the hike ended up being 2 x 29 km.
Superb scenery and good restaurants.

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chrandonnée
chrandonnée

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route, long but not difficult.
Please note: in some places, especially in the first part, the trail leaves the GR to head towards the beaches and is therefore not easy to find.

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike.

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manuuher
manuuher

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Be warned, this route, described as "easy", is not for the faint-hearted as it is still around thirty kilometres long.
I was "lucky" enough to have a boat in the morning and late in the evening to do the whole thing, but I couldn't dawdle.
There is, of course, the option of cycling, but you won't be able to go everywhere (which is why I decided against it). Some sections are off-limits to cyclists because they are too steep. Priority is given to walkers (which is normal).
Otherwise, it's a beautiful route, prettier in the west than in the east, in my opinion. The eastern side passes through dunes and pine forests, which is quite tiring and not very interesting compared to the beauty of the landscapes in the west.
The route does not follow the GR trail exactly. In some places, it even crosses the beach. This is easy at low tide, but not at high tide. For example, at Pointe Gautier and Pointe de Gilberge, I did not see any paths. The GR is not always easy to find, even with a map.
The hike can be reversed to avoid the constant backlighting from the sun... Depending on your schedule.
Otherwise, it's a really beautiful walk.

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mortagne17
mortagne17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, but it's a shame that it doesn't follow the GR 80 trail markers that run closer to the coast (especially in the north of the island). In fact, we deviated from the "visorando" route to follow the GR 80 on certain sections. Nevertheless, it's well worth it.

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Chris24520
Chris24520

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

We did not follow the entire route suggested by Visorando, but instead took the GR80 from Port Joinville towards Pointe du But and on to Port de la Meule, from where we took a bus back to Port Joinville.
A magnificent route that follows the coastline..
I highly recommend it.

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Vivianne labat
Vivianne labat

Hike planned for September.
Departure from Port de la Meule, Pointe de la Tranche and return via the beaches.

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FAMILLE DA CUNHA
FAMILLE DA CUNHA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I set off with my rucksack for two days to make the most of this walk and the magnificent scenery.
A wonderful experience

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DYLMORAKHMA
DYLMORAKHMA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very enjoyable hike. Especially the wild coast. Magnificent views. Crystal-clear blue sea.
Downside: very few places along the route to eat or drink.
No need for a description of the hike.
Everything is signposted.
It's the GR80.
Just follow the coastline
Just bring a map so you know where you are and the bus timetable so you can finish by transport if you get tired.
You can find both at the tourist office.
If you want to do the tour on foot, allow a whole day so you have time to stroll and enjoy the scenery.
I'll be back with the kids, this time by bike so we can explore more
Go for it!
You won't regret it...

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jeanmarieroyal
jeanmarieroyal

Also note that there is a water tap on the right as you enter the small cemetery to the north-west of Saint Sauveur Church.

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philippebourel
philippebourel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We didn't complete the entire route, but the section we did walk (the wild coast) was very well signposted and easy to follow. A hike that can be recommended and is accessible to all.

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jeanmarieroyal
jeanmarieroyal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, especially along the wild coastline to the west of the island. The light is unique and the colours of the water, sand and rocks are truly magnificent.
It took us two days of leisurely walking with children (the youngest is 10 years old)
For your information:
There is a bakery and pastry shop in the village of Saint Sauveur.
There is a water tap between Pointe du Porteau and La Petite Conche, near the reservoir marked with a small blue disc on the map (south-east of the island)
There is another water tap at the toilets in Port de la Meule (near the restaurant) in the west of the island.
There is a Super U supermarket for supplies 200 metres north-west of the Port Joinville landing stage
It is essential to book crossings several days in advance in summer ++ (expensive)

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zazounet01
zazounet01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We spent a short day on the island (we will return)
We still managed to cycle around the island.
A superb walk.
Superb wild coastline from the port to Pointe des Corbeaux.

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Lemoine Joël
Lemoine Joël

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I actually did the five PR hikes over three days, covering almost the entire GR80

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