Bike hire on Île d’Yeu is mostly found in Port-Joinville, right opposite the ferry landing. The tourist office lists a dozen or so hire shops. Expect to pay around €10 to €15 a day for a standard bike, and €35 to €45 for an electric-assist one. Taking your own bike across costs more: at least €29.80 return with Yeu Continent. La Compagnie Vendéenne does not accept two-wheelers on board. Once on the island, cyclists will find a waymarked 16 km loop and a full tour of about 28 km. Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is about 15 minutes from Au Bois des Biches, our 4-star campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. Fromentine, the other departure point, is 35 minutes away.
Key points to remember
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Where to hire | Port-Joinville, rue Calypso and rue de la Chaume, opposite the ferry landing |
| Price per day | €10 to €15 for a hybrid bike, €35 to €45 for an electric bike |
| Taking your own bike on the boat | Possible with Yeu Continent from €29.80 return, not accepted by other operators |
| Routes | Waymarked 16 km loop, full tour of about 28 km |
| Terrain | Low-lying, highest point 31 m |
| Helmet | Compulsory for under-12s |
Where can you hire a bike in Port-Joinville?
Most of the shops are clustered around the ferry landing, on rue Calypso and rue de la Chaume. They are just a few steps from where you step off the boat. Their fleets include classic bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, tandems, children’s bikes and electric bikes.
| Shop | Pitch | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| L’Auto Bécane | 8 rue de la Chaume, 30 m from the landing stage | Open all year, cargo bikes, luggage storage, breakdown assistance |
| Lila Vélo | 1 rue Calypso, opposite the landing stages | Helmets and locks provided, tandems, tag-along bikes |
| Véloya | Rue de la Chaume | Open all year, electric mountain bikes, child seats |
| La Roue Libre | 4 rue Calypso | Electric fat bikes, cargo trikes, trailers |
| Yeuloc | 18 rue de la Chaume, place Kétanou | Online booking only, free breakdown assistance |
| Les Vélos d’Arthur | 5 minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal | Open all year, Dutch-style bikes |
Esprit Tranqu’île works differently: the company delivers straight to your accommodation, for a minimum of two days. Good Bike, Biclown and La Trottinette complete the list compiled by the tourist office.
You’ll find the details on the tourist office’s page hiring a bike on the island.
Practical information
- Usually open from 9:00 to 18:00, with hours set around the boat times
- Online booking recommended in summer, and compulsory with some hire shops
- Helmet, lock and breakdown assistance often included
- Luggage delivery offered by several hire shops
What budget should you plan for?
Prices vary depending on the model and the length of hire. A comparison updated in August 2026 puts an adult hybrid bike at €10 to €15 per day. Electric-assist models cost noticeably more. Véloya, for example, lists €35 for one day, €68 for two and €149 for a week. At La Roue Libre, a leisure bike costs €15 and an e-bike €45.
| Model | Indicative price per day |
|---|---|
| Adult hybrid or standard bike | €10 to €15 |
| E-bike | €35 to €45 |
| Cargo trike | Around €60 |
| Baby seat, trailer | Extra, depending on the shop |
These figures come from the hire shops’ own websites and from online platforms.
Some don’t state the year, so it’s best to check when you book. Several rental companies ask for a deposit.
Good to know
Hiring a bike on the island often works out cheaper than bringing your own. The return crossing costs at least €29.80 with Yeu Continent. A day’s bike hire costs around €10 to €15.
Taking the boat with or without your bike
Two companies sail from the mainland. Yeu Continent departs from Fromentine all year round, with a 30-minute catamaran crossing. An adult return ticket costs €43.20 in low season and €48 in July and August. This company takes bikes on all its boats, but you need to book. In 2026, a return ticket costs €29.80 for a standard bike and €46.40 for an electric bike. These fares apply to tickets bought more than a month in advance. The Compagnie Vendéenne departs from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and from Fromentine, from April to November. The crossing from Saint-Gilles takes about an hour, and a same-day return costs €45.60. It does not allow bikes on board, even folding ones.
Cycling around Île d’Yeu
The island measures roughly 10 km long by 4 km wide. Its highest point is no more than 31 m, so cycling is easy going. The wild coast, to the south-west, is more rugged. The only waymarked route on the ground is 16 km long and takes 1 hr 30 to 2 hrs. It starts from place des Bois Noirs or from the tourist office. The tourist office also recommends other rides that are not waymarked: 13 km towards the Pointe du But and 16.5 km via Saint-Sauveur. The full circuit is about 28 km and takes half a day to a full day, depending on your stops. It links the main sights:
- the Pointe du But and its dolmens, in the north-west;
- the Vieux Château, a 14th-century fortress facing the ocean;
- the port de la Meule and its chapel, on the wild coast;
- the plage des Vieilles and the Pointe des Corbeaux, in the south-east;
- the village of Saint-Sauveur, in the centre.
Visitors’ favourite
The descent to the port de la Meule, with its white houses and colourful boats at the head of a cove.
The Grand Phare lighthouse, 41 m high, can be visited in July and August. Entry costs €4 for adults and €2 for ages 7 to 18.
Rules and tips for cycling on the island
Many of the roads are shared with cars. The rules of the road apply just as they do on the mainland, and every summer the gendarmerie records offences by cyclists. A helmet is still compulsory for children under 12, both riders and passengers. Several shops lend them free of charge. The tourist office also recommends booking in high season and setting off early.
For the rest of your stay, our guide to things to do on the Île d’Yeu covers the beaches, harbours and sights worth seeing.
Between the ferry crossing and a relaxing break, the campsite near the Île d’Yeu is just 15 minutes from Saint-Gilles.
A tip from the campsite team
In July and August, booking online before the crossing saves you waiting at the landing stage. Electric assistance helps when the wind picks up along the Côte Sauvage.
Your questions about bike hire on the Île d’Yeu
Can you take your own bike to the Île d’Yeu?
Yes, but only with Yeu Continent, and you need to book. Allow at least €29.80 return for a standard bike. La Compagnie Vendéenne does not accept them.
How much does it cost to hire a bike?
Around €10 to €15 a day for a hybrid bike. An electric bike costs €35 to €45, depending on the shop.
Where can you hire a bike when you step off the boat?
Rue Calypso and Rue de la Chaume, opposite the landing stage at Port-Joinville. Most shops are less than a 5-minute walk away.
How many kilometres is the full circuit of the island?
About 28 km, according to the tourist office. With stops, allow 5 to 6 hours.
Can you hire a bike outside high season?
Yes, several shops stay open all year round. These include L’Auto Bécane, Véloya and Les Vélos d’Arthur.
Who wrote this article?
Article written by the team at Camping Au Bois des Biches, a 4-star campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Vendée. Prices and opening times were checked in October 2026 with the hire companies, ferry operators and the tourist office, and may change. Sources consulted:
- Île d’Yeu tourist office, Renting a bike on the island and Cycling routes (ile-yeu.fr)
- Yeu Continent, 2026 prices and bike transport (yeu-continent.fr)
- Compagnie Vendéenne, information and prices (compagnie-vendeenne.com)
- Véloya, rental prices (veloya.fr)
- France Vélo Tourisme, helmets compulsory for under-12s (francevelotourisme.com)
