France
Fromentine to Île d'Yeu Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Fromentine
Pays de la Loire
Arrives
Île d'Yeu
Yeu ContinentAt a glance
The Fromentine to Île d'Yeu ferry takes about 35m. It is operated by Yeu Continent. Fares start from €40.
- Operator
- Yeu Continent
- Crossing
- 35m
Fromentine to Île d'Yeu ferry timetable
Seasonal sailing times
The Fromentine to Île d'Yeu ferry is operated by Yeu Continent, and the crossing takes about 35m. Sailings change with the season, and departures are confirmed ahead of each sailing period.
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Fromentine – Île d'Yeu crossing
There is no weekly pattern to learn on this route. Yeu Continent publishes its departures date by date for the entire year, because the crossing works around the tide in the Fromentine passage: a 05.15 sailing one Monday, 08.00 the next, three departures some days and two others. Check the date you are travelling rather than assuming last week's times hold.
Two ships, two crossing times
The high-speed catamarans Pont d'Yeu and Châtelet, in service since 2006, carry 430 passengers each and make the passage in about 35 minutes. The mixed cargo ship Insula Oya III, which joined the fleet on 1 May 2023, takes 390 passengers plus vehicles and freight and needs about an hour. The printed timetable rounds these to 30 and 70 minutes and marks the slower sailings separately, so the crossing time is legible from the schedule itself.
Fares
Return tickets only. Adults 26 and over pay €40.00 outside July–August, €43.20 in high season, and €48.00 on the cargo ship. Over-61s pay €32.00, 13–25s €28.00, children 4–12 €22.00, under-4s free. Outside the summer peak, under-13s travelling with an adult go free on Wednesdays. If you have island family or a continental subscription card, the adult return drops to €28.80 — the card itself is €52.20 a year.
Getting to the boat
Fromentine is a gare maritime in the commune of La Barre-de-Monts on the Vendée coast, at the foot of the Noirmoutier bridge, with car parks beside the terminal. Almost nobody takes a vehicle across — cars go on Insula Oya III rather than the catamarans, and Port-Joinville is a small island harbour. Bicycles, scooters and surfboards each have their own tariff.
Why the service exists
Yeu Continent was set up by the Vendée departmental council in 1949 and has been part of the regional Aléop network since 2018. It makes more than 2,500 crossings a year and carries island schoolchildren to the mainland — this is a public service that happens to also take holidaymakers, not the other way round.
Vehicles, pets & onboard
- Panoramic air-conditioned saloons with roll stabilisers and anti-pitching
- Wifi, power sockets and baby-changing on Insula Oya III
- Eight wheelchair spaces and two infirmaries across the fleet
- Free passenger car park 15 minutes from the Fromentine terminal
- Baggage container service loaded by staff
Onboard facilities and vehicle, pet and luggage policies vary by operator and vessel; confirm details with the operator before booking.
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Fromentine to Île d'Yeu ferry?
It depends on the boat. Compagnie Yeu Continent's fast passenger boats make the crossing to Port-Joinville in about 30 minutes, while the car-and-freight ferry Insula Oya III takes around 70 minutes.
Can I take my car to Île d'Yeu from Fromentine?
Yes, but only with Compagnie Yeu Continent, the sole operator carrying vehicles to the island, on its Insula Oya III ferry (about 15 car spaces). Capacity is very limited and must be booked well in advance; many visitors instead park on the mainland — the company has a reserved lot of around 200 free spaces near the terminal.
Does the Fromentine–Yeu ferry run in winter?
Yes. Île d'Yeu is inhabited year-round, so Compagnie Yeu Continent maintains a reduced daily service through winter and steadily increases rotations from spring, peaking in July, August and early September with four to six departures a day.
Do I need a passport for the ferry to Île d'Yeu?
No. Île d'Yeu is part of France (Vendée), so this is a domestic crossing with no passport or border control. A valid ID for travel within France is sufficient; just remember to book ahead in high season.
Who operates the Fromentine to Île d'Yeu ferry and where does it arrive?
It is run by Compagnie Yeu Continent, operating since 1959 from Fromentine (in La Barre-de-Monts) to Port-Joinville, the island's only harbour. Other companies such as Compagnie Vendéenne run passenger-only fast boats, but Yeu Continent is the one that carries cars.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around €40. Prices vary by operator, season, cabin and whether you take a vehicle.
Can I take a pet on this ferry?
Most ferry operators allow pets on this route, usually in a carrier, on deck or in designated pet areas or cabins, and registered assistance dogs travel free. Rules and any fees vary by operator and vessel — check with Yeu Continent, so declare your pet when booking.
What's the luggage allowance?
Foot passengers can normally bring their own luggage aboard at no extra charge, with racks or a luggage area near the entrance, and there is usually no airline-style weight limit. Oversized or excess items may carry a fee, so check with the operator if you are travelling with bulky baggage.
Where can I check live sailing times?
The timetable on this page shows the latest published sailings for this route. Always confirm with the operator before travelling, as schedules change seasonally.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated September 1, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
€40
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Fromentine on the map
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