Getting around by boat and ferry Pays De La Loire

If you're on vacation in the Vendée, a visit to the wild island of Île d'Yeu is a must. To get there, come aboard La Vendéenne, a 250-passenger ferry that's fast and comfortable. It makes the Port Fromentine-L'Ile d'Yeu crossing in 45 minutes. Equipped with an outdoor deck, it's the ideal place to breathe in the fresh sea air and perfect your tan, while taking in the superb panorama. It also features a panoramic saloon and luggage area.

The port is located in the heart of a splendid 85-hectare estate of greenery with lake and golf course, restaurants, holiday residence. A deep-water marina, it has a capacity of 660 berths, 610 for tenants and 50 on the visitor's pontoon. Access to wifi on all the basin and the dock. It regularly hosts beautiful nautical events: Solitaire du Figaro, EDHEC race, Tour de France à la Voile and especially the Transgascogne 6.50 which connects the port of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire to a port in Spain every two years.

It has undergone many transformations… Summary: 1758, construction of the first pier destroyed by the 1770 storm. In 1786, Mr. de Kéroman funds the reconstruction of a pier that will remain intact until 1960. In 1971, the marina was created and hosted 300 boats. This capacity will be increased to 500 in 1987 with a aground port. 1997 saw the creation of a basin with access gateways for boats and 2003-2004, a reception capacity of 760 seats. Fishing activity has been retained. A fishing dock consists of a small professionals. The main feature of the port is the access of its basin by a sliding door that opens and closes at the rhythm of the tides when the level reaches the lowest 2 metres 40. The port is an indispensable promenade. It is a real pole of animation and will fill lovers of the sea and water water: sailing school, sea kayaking, old rig, diving, fishing guide to bars, water centre, sea walk, fishing on foot…

A "ferry" (shuttle) runs all year round for the crossing of the channel which links the town centre of Les Sables-d'Olonne to the La Chaume district, with arrival at the fishing port. The ferryman has the great advantage of being available all year round. There are two access points: the Guiné quay in the fishing port and opposite, the George-V quay, in La Chaume. The ships are frequented by tourists as well as by the inhabitants of Sables-d'Olonne and the surrounding area.

The port of Croisic has the particularity of being composed of a succession of small basins or "chambers" perfectly protected from clapot by islets, the "jonchères", raised over the centuries by the accumulation of stones serving ballast to the vessels coming to load the salt extracted in the salt marshes of Guérande. They stretch on the south shore of the former sea arm separating the mainland from the mainland of Batz-sur-Mer, and the sandy beach of La Baule-Escoublac filled East. The port's capacity is 347 seats in the chamber of vases, 281 of which are on pontoons and 27 on pontoons in front of the harbour and 39 on quay. 47 places on moorings. Visitors are welcomed upon arrival in the channel.

Geographically the port is situated between two commercial rivers, the Loire and the Vilaine. The croisicaise fleet comprises 100 fishermen and fishermen divided out of the 33 fishing vessels, including 7 fishing vessels, 6 coastal trawlers, 3 caseyeurs, 4 fileyeurs, 5 ligneurs. She was the 19 ^th French auction in 40 in value 2007. The Croisic is also the 7 th auction in average price. It is ranked 23rd position in tonnage with 2187 annual tons. The main species caught and sold in auction are therefore "noble" species: soles, langoustines, pink shrimp, bars, Coquilles shells, mullet, etc. But the port of Croisic is also a marina with a capacity of 347 seats in the chamber of vases, 281 of which are on pontoons and 27 visiteurs in front of the harbour and 39 on berth and 47 on mooring. Visitors are welcomed upon arrival in the channel. To obtain a mooring location, you must contact the office of the harbour to register on the waiting list.

Built on the you which connects the sea to the salt marshes. He used to be an active port with his salt-laden sailboats and many fishing boats. The fleuron of this port is the Poulligwen, a replica of a 1 900 (poull and guenn) white hole. Launched and blessed in 1992, she participated in numerous meetings of old rigging. 4 port officers are responsible for the logistics of the basin, the daily maintenance of equipment, the reception and management of recreational boaters contracts. The team is strengthened in summer for the reception of visitors on call. The port of Pouliguen has a capacity of 850 places on the quay on 3 basins separated by 2 bridges. The reception of sailboats is only in the first basin. A visitor dock has 30 seats.

Piriac can pride himself on having had his port since the 1758 th century, with the construction of the first pier in. Proudly protected by the village church, it has evolved over time. The port of Piriac-sur-mer is a threshold port. It has a 2,40 m water draught. The port of Piriac-sur-Mer has a capacity of 780 places on the quay with visitors.

Protected from west winds, the Herbaudière marina offers a capacity of 574 places including 50 visitors up to 17 meters. The port has a careening area, sanitary facilities with codes, fresh water at the quay and on the pontoons, electricity on the pontoons, a laundry, a 30-ton crane. A fuel station is installed on the pontoon. It is accessible 24 hours a day by credit card. The port also has a black water pumping station and automatic barriers for parking.

La Turballe harbour is home to 330 boaters and has about 30 to 35 visitors. It is available 24 hours a day. The access facilities of its deep water basins make it a pleasant stopover in the heart of a lively station, with one of the most beautiful beach on the Guérandaise peninsula. You will have clean water, electricity and the sorting of household waste. You will also have the possibility to use Internet messaging, a free refit area and a free cale. To read the port regulations, to inform you and to obtain more information please contact the owner.

The Port-La-Vie marina, ideally located in the town centre, accommodates more than 1,000 boats, including 800 berths on the pontoon and 200 on the mooring line. In the 1960s, yachting developed alongside fishing. The municipality decided in 1971 to build a marina in the mouth of the Vie River (which flows into the sea), which was then occupied by a mudflat. The first stone was laid in October 1974. The port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie hosts sailing races including the Solitaire du Figaro.

Compagnie Vendéenne has been present on the Ile d'Yeu for 25 years, with 3 departure ports: Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Fromentine, and always in July/August from Barbâtre - La Fosse (on the Ile de Noirmoutier), with free parking nearby. Depending on which port you board from, your journey time will vary between 45 and 60 minutes. The company operates a recent fleet of 3 ships. These are equipped with "outside decks" to enjoy the crossing in the open air, and panoramic lounges.

The port of Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile is located in the city centre, at the foot of the castle, and is sheltered in the Étier du Moulin. Admire, all along the south shore of the harbour, wooden huts blackened with coaltar. They house the traditional activities of the island which are oyster farming, the salt cooperative, and especially the construction and repair of ships. In the past, it was the island's port of activity, allowing the export of salt. 200 mooring buoys (from the Souzeaux beach to the Sableaux beach) are available for rent from mid-April to mid-October.

Port-Joinville is located on the north-east coast of the island of Yeu. This charming port welcomes ferries from Fromentine or Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. The marina offers a 600-place pleasure boat basin, equipped with pontoons, integrated into the old fishing port and accessible at all times. Excellent shelter in all weather conditions. Two hundred places are reserved for boats in stopover. All the services of a modern port (amenities, technical services...). An essential stopover between Belle-Île and La Rochelle.

The Yeu Continent company has been providing maritime traffic for passengers and goods between the island of Yeu and the mainland for over forty years, departing from Fromentine. The company provides one to six passages per day, depending on the season and the tides. It is better to book, especially in high season, especially as there are preferential rates if you book one month in advance. Bicycles, windsurfers, motorhomes and vehicles are allowed on some ships. This company provides year-round crossings in 35-minute fast ships.

The Yeu Continent company provides year-round maritime traffic for passengers and goods between Yeu Island and the mainland. The company provides one to six passages per day, depending on the season and the tides. It is preferable to book, especially in high season. Reservations of more than one month will give you a preferential rate. Passage of bicycles, windsurfers and vehicles on certain ships. This company provides crossings all year round in fast 35-minute ships. Reservation required.

Once a very coveted port because of its strategic location at the end of the Bay of Bourgneuf (at the confluence of the Millac estuary and the Taillée estuary coming from Bourgneuf), and its commercial activity based on salt, it reached its peak in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is now an important oyster farming area. Towards the port of Collet, it offers picturesque landscapes in the middle of salt marshes. A popular place for nature lovers with its lazy channel and rare boats. The other attraction of the port of Collet: its beaches and the 32 fisheries.

Since 2017, La Compagnie Vendéenne offers the possibility of a^3rd departure port to Yeu Island: La Fosse-île de Noirmoutier. This departure port, used in the past, is once again accessible following the reconstruction of the Estacade. Located opposite Fromentine, on the Noirmoutier side of the island, it offers a number of advantages. A direct 45-minute crossing to Yeu Island. A few departures are offered with a stopover via Fromentine, with an extra 15 minutes added to the journey time. Free parking (limited spaces available).

From Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the crossing to the island of Yeu with the Compagnie Vendéenne takes 60 minutes. On the day of departure, come to the pier 30 minutes before. You will board theOgia, a fast ship with a capacity of 309 passengers, which will ensure you speed and comfort. Equipped with an exterior aft deck, it is the ideal place to get some fresh air or to perfect your tan and breathe in the fresh air of the open sea, while not missing any of the superb panorama that opens up to you. It is also equipped with a panoramic lounge.

With its 1,400 berths, it is the largest marina in the Vendée. 24-hour access with a minimum draught of 2 m. In the summer, about a hundred berths are available to visitors. Maximum boat length: 20 m. A special pontoon is dedicated to catamarans. Complete port facilities: fresh water, electricity at each berth, fuel station at the quayside, slipways, lifts, 24-hour security. VHF weather station on channel 9. It is from Port-Olonna that the boats set off for the Vendée Globe race.