A beach for everyone
The Ile d’Yeu offers a superb choice between small coves and wide sandy beaches.
Lovers of small coves and coastal creeks will mainly find what they're looking for on the western and southern part of the island. Particularly well appreciated are the Plage des Soux, and the Anse des Fontaines bay.
Families will enjoy the Plage des Vieilles, which has lifeguards in high season.
The long sandy beaches of the north-eastern coast of the island, interspersed with rocky bars, between the salt marshes and Ker Châlon, will charme nature lovers.
These beaches are particularly suitable for swimming with the family and for nautical sports. Shallow water, no dangerous currents and warm water temperatures provide the ideal conditions for enjoying seaside bathing to the best.
"Sandy creeks"
Along the northwestern coast, towards the Pointe du But, a series of sandy inlets, known as "criques" are well worth a visit. The Plage de la Pulante, la Gournaise and the Anse des Broches, with its fishing cabins, faithful sentinels to the old way of life, and a low port revealed only at low tide.
Further to the west, the beautiful coves of Belle-Maison (Ker Daniau) and Sables Rouis are a delight, where pastel colours of the water make a swim impossible to resist.
To the south, the Plage des Sabias, lined with brilliant white fishing huts, reflects the emerald water. On the horizon, the silhouette of the Vieux Château is a dominating presence, melting naturally into the chaos of the wild coast.
The paths leading to the edge of the coast reveal the most discrete and beautiful beaches of the island, the Plage des Fontaines and the Plage des Soux. Don't miss the marker stones along the island paths - they help you find the way.
Further to the east, the Plage des Vieilles has easy access, and offers a wide range of nautical activities. It has a beautiful view of the Pointe des Corbeaux.
THE SANDY BEACHES OF THE NORTH EASTERN COAST
Close to Port-Joinville, the Plage de Ker Châlon was the scene of the first sea baths in the early 20th century.
A succession of beaches backed by a cord of dunes delineates the east coast of the island. the Plage des Sapins, Plage du Marais Salé, and the Plage des Conches among them.
This part of the island resembles the mainland coast it faces.
Faithful to the image of the Ile d’Yeu, small cabins dot the whole coastline. Their brilliant whiteness contrasts with the pine woods and the colours of sea and sky.
THE TIDAL ZONE
The sea retreats in breaking waves but never far away. The phenomenon is less marked on the island than on the beaches of Brittany or Normandy.
Sea water wanders between the rocks, leaving the shoreline strewn with shells. Here and there, tidal pools are home to shrimp and crabs, to the delight of families out cockle fishing!
Before too long the sea comes back, rocking you with the murmur of the waves. To best appreciate the foreshore, there's nothing like a walk at dawn, or when the sun goes down over the Pointe de But.
During the summer season, the Heritage Department of the Town Council offers discovery visits to the tidal zone and cockle fishing expeditions. Find out more about heritage tours here.
