Former school turned breezy Summer hotel on remote l’Île-d’Yeu on French Atlantic coast

La Mission / L’Île-d’Yeu / Pays de Loire / France

I have to be honest. I had never heard of l’Île-d’Yeu before. But then I stumbled upon this stunning hotel in a magazine and I started to look it up. I assumed that a hotel this great-looking had to be located in a place that would be equally appealing. I know, one shouldn’t assume things, but in this case it was the right thing to do, both referring to the hotel and to the island. La Mission truly is a gem located on a gem.

This 22-key hotel used to be a school but feels more like an old monastery the way it is set up, the way it’s built around a leafy inner courtyard. It is like the building is turning all of its attention inwards, keeping the rest of the world out. La Mission is located in the small village of St Sauveur, a short shuttle ride from the port. This is actually a car-free island but some of the locals are allowed to have cars. For the rest of us, we arrive on a passenger ferry and have to make do with local buses or bikes to get around.

Ok, back to the hotel. When arriving and entering the inner courtyard it truly feels like sampling a small slice of paradise. All the buildings are white with sage green window shutters. The design is a super attractive mix of breezy, sunny island look paired with some contemporary features that have cleverly been incorporated into the mix. The rooms are made up in either blue, green or red hues. Our room, which was one of the red styled rooms, was our shuttle driver’s favorite (I decided to trust that she was honest when she told us this). It was located on the second floor, but where we entered on the ground floor and had our own staircase leading us up to our loft-styled room.

La Mission is one of those hotels where you have everything you might ever look for or need during your vacation on-site. There is a great restaurant, La Missionaire which also attracts a lot of patrons not staying at the hotel, a cute little bar, a NUXE spa, roof top terraces, a food truck, boule courts and then some. And all these different elements are built around the central part, the pool area and the massive oak tree.

Even though you could easily spend every minute of your stay on-site, the island is a must to explore. And the best way to do this is by bike. There are some great bike paths that will take you along the rugged coastline where you can stop for a dip in the ocean, a glass of cider or just to pause for a moment to enjoy the views. Check below where I have listed some of my favorite haunts on the island.

And remember to set your watch to island time. Otherwise you will always be too early.

The car is parked and M is heading through the woods to the harbor and the ferry out to the island.

A ferry and a short shuttle ride later, welcome to La Mission!

The sunny reception where you are greeted with open arms

There is a great hotel shop selling some good looking and useful stuff for you to bring back home.

All checked in and looking for our room.

I love this simple but yet tasteful design. It feels Summery, breezy and relaxed, but at the same time it has a contemporary look and feel to it.

Some welcome cookies waiting for us in our room upon check in.

A complimentary tote for you to bring back home.

The bathroom is designed with the same sunny look as the room.

The view from our room of the pool area, and next to it is the reception, the bar and the restaurant.

The pool and the majestic oak tree that created some well needed shade in the courtyard.

Next to the pool is where you’ll find the NUXE spa

This maximalistic look with a generous use of prints and colors looks so good.

The on-site restaurant, *La Missionaire*

There is a boldness in the design which I really appreciate with wallpapered ceilings and a really great pattern clash with the tiles, the sofa cushions and the different carpets.

This pain perdu that we had for desert was just as delicious as it looks.

M heading back home to our room after dinner, enjoying the last rays of the day.

Cut to morning where M is leaving our room to enjoy the first rays of the day.

Everything looks good in the morning light, but I am sure this vintage truck would look good in all types of light.

One activity I strongly recommend on the island is to rent bikes.

We’ve stopped at the closest (and nicest) beach from the hotel, called *Plage des Soux.* We had the place all to ourselves which was surreal. It is M you see in the photo getting ready for a dip in the Atlantic.

Lunch time. We found this great galette/crêpes restaurant, *Le Vagabond.* The jug is filled with their own homemade cider. Made the rest of the bike ride even more enjoyable.

Even though the island is small the nature is diverse. The northwestern part is covered by these tall pine trees and this path led to a really nice sandy beach.

Back at the hotel, and the bikes have been parked as we made our way to the *La Dilettante*, a great little wine bar, 5 min walk from the hotel.

More or less all the houses on the island are rendered white with differently colored window shutters.

RG inside info

Date of RG stay:

July 2025

This place is perfect if you…

…are looking for a Summer vacation spot, off the beaten track. If you like small boutique hotels with vibrant, colorful design, where you have everything you might need within arm’s reach, I am 100% sure that you will love La Mission.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the remoteness of it all. First driving all the way out to the coast and Port Fromentine, parking the car and walking 15 min through the woods to get to the ferry. Take the 30 min ferry ride to Port Joinville on the island and then a shuttle that takes you the last mile to St. Sauveur and the hotel. And this extensive journey is so worth it, which is immediately confirmed when the shuttle pulls up at the parking and you enter the inner courtyard of La Mission.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to bike around the island. It is a perfect activity and there is a trail that takes you through the shifting landscape. We found this great galette/crêpe restaurant where we stopped for lunch called Le Vagabond in La Meule which I can recommend. And when you’re done and you’re back at the hotel, there is a great little wine bar a short walk from the hotel, La Dilettante where you can start your re-hydration. And another thing worth mentioning, there is a beautiful little cove called Plage des Soux. We went there in the morning for a dip in the ocean and had the beach all to ourselves. A truly magical start of our day.

If you like this hotel you might also like:

Dexamenes / Kourouta, Greece

Maison Ceronne / Mortagne-au-Perche

Breac House / Dunfanaghy, Ireland

Masseria Moroseta /Ostuni, Italy

Casa Mãe / Lagos, Portugal