Its wild southwest coast offers a landscape of granitic cliffs sheltering small sandy coves, while its northeast coast reveals a completely different landscape of large beaches backed by a dune ridge where you can find the wood species typical of the Atlantic coast of Maritime Pines, Green oaks, Tamarins... The centre of the island is not to be outdone in its diversity with its grazing or market gardening plots between the small hamlets with a harmonious habitat of relatively low white houses to protect against the wind. A little less than 5000 inhabitants live year round in this refuge on the open sea. Human activity makes this isolated territory dynamic, economically, culturally and in terms of leisure activities. Naturally, the Islais, inhabitants of Île d'Yeu have adapted to welcome the curious for a day and the regulars of all time who brave the forty minutes by boat to come and enjoy this jewel of the Atlantic, which never leaves anyone indifferent. Lovers of natural and protected areas will enjoy their happiness through the paths that are accessible to some people on foot or by bike. History buffs will be able to build their itinerary according to the megaliths, Roman camps, fortresses, citadels, churches and chapels. It will be possible to admire one of the windmills, still damaged or already renovated, at the bend of a path. You will never be far from a rock or a beach to rest for a picnic in front of the ocean which always has its show to present.

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The island is accessible all year round by boat or helicopter. Physical activity takes place in a pleasant setting of a natural and protected space. The sea air can be rough because of the wind but often remains ideal in temperature with surprising and sometimes changing lights between land and sea sky from time to time. Few territories allow the sun to come out of the ocean in the morning on the same day and watch it dive in the evening a few hours' walk or minutes' run, Ile d'Yeu is one of them. These spaces surprise according to the seasons with the scents of gorse, kelp pine and many others. Marine fauna is also present for those who know how to make themselves discreet observers, sedentary or migratory sea birds, crustaceans, shellfish and sometimes marine mammals.

If the gradients are not frightening, running upwind sometimes looks like a summit to climb and the steep trails offer real difficulties. The paths are varied and exposed, under the woods, sandy, grassy, there is even asphalt.

Get some fresh air from the open sea, make an effort, swim in comfort and enjoy a friendly moment of sharing on the harbour.

Crédits photos : © Pascal Biomez ; © Rodrigue Laurent - OT île d'Yeu ; Tom David Kemp - OT île d'Yeu ; © José Baud - Le Hollandais Volant ; © F. Guerineau - OT île d'Yeu ; © C. Lambert - OT île d'Yeu ; © S. Buchoux - OT île d'Yeu

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