Before La Mission became a hotel, it had a past life as a school. And a cinema. But the founders of the Parisian hotel group, Hotels Impertinents, grew up spending their childhood on the island and had always dreamed of opening a hotel here that captured the charm of this small piece of land with its 5,000 residents. All they wanted was a lovely beachside retreat – with a touch of 1970s nostalgia.
So, they connected the seven buildings of the sprawling estate and, in spring of 2024, brought La Mission to life: a boutique hotel with 22 cozy rooms and suites, a swimming pool with pretty beach chairs, a restaurant, and even a small spa – all beautifully designed by the talented Parisian interior designer Pauline d’Hoop (some may know her for designing the outstanding Sézane shops).
Where Are We?
The Île d’Yeu is a small island in the Pays de la Loire region on the Atlantic coast. Accessible by boat from the mainland, life on the island revolves around bicycles, whether in summer or winter. La Mission is located in Saint-Sauveur, a charming gem featuring a Romanesque church from the 11th century, alongside quaint restaurants and bars. Surrounding the village are rugged beaches and dramatic cliffs, reminiscent of Cornwall’s wild coastline.
The Rooms
La Mission offers 22 cozy rooms and suites. We loved: The maisonette suites, with up to 50 square meters of space. They are perfect for families – no need to squeeze into a small room or book two separate ones. The smaller signature rooms have a cozy, cabin-like charm, with sloped ceilings and thoughtful little details. We stayed in Room number 9, which had its own private terrace – a lovely spot to spend a leisurely day. Another thoughtful touch: the minibar includes a coffee maker for a quick and easy start to the day.
The restaurant
The hotel restaurant, open to both guests and visitors, offers delicious treats all day long – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lunch and dinner highlight the island’s local produce, with fish naturally taking center stage. The local specialty on the island of Yeu is smoked tuna, by the way. We tried the Côte de Boeuf and grilled hake, and they were absolutely fantastic.
The bar
Jacques-Olivier Larant and Michel Delloye, the two entrepreneurs behind La Mission, are passionate rum enthusiasts. They run several hotels and bars in Paris that make up the Hoteliers Impertinents collection and offer one of the largest rum collections in the world, with 1,600 bottles. At Bar 1802 of La Mission they offer 600 different types of rum. You can also attend a rum tasting, which is perfect, especially during the off-season and winter months.
The spa
The spa is located in one of the seven buildings and is run in collaboration with NUXE Paris experts. It features a small indoor pool, a hamam, and treatments such as a relaxing body massage with oil. Strolling through the hotel in a bathrobe and slippers, especially during the off-season, is all part of the experience.
What we loved
We visited La Mission in autumn, during off-season and we have to say – the island was a very authentic experience. With e-bikes from La Mission, we explored the Île d’Yeu, uncovering countless coves, beaches, cozy little restaurants, and meeting some of the friendly locals. One of our favorite moments was winding down by the fireplace with the other guests after a day of adventure, sipping hot chocolate and savoring a slice of plum cake – a local specialty. Simple, but genuinely beautiful.
Perfect For
Whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or as a family, La Mission is a dream destination. The island’s small size makes it perfect also for short stays – there’s so much to discover in just a few days. For lovers of fresh seafood and dramatic coastal cliffs, the island is surely paradise. For those coming from farther away, it’s worth considering a combined trip, pairing Île d’Yeu with Île de Ré for instance (and staying at our member house Le Sénéchal there).
Getting there
If you are coming with a car, park at Fromentine and take the ferry boat. It takes around 30 minutes. La Mission offers package prices including the ferry. The nearest airport would be Nantes Atlantique. From there it is one hour by car to Fromentine.
Prices
Doubles from 180 euros per night.
Booking & Contacts
La Mission d’Yeu
12 Rue de la Missionnaire
85350 L’Île-d’Yeu
France
