The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator comprised of a mobile assembly, a fixed ferromagnetic stator assembly, at least one electric field coil, and of at least one permanent magnet, having two stable positions of equilibrium without current at its ends of travel. The invention is characterized in that the mobile assembly has two distinct ferromagnetic armatures placed on both sides of the stator assembly and each forms, together with the stator assembly, at least one magnetic circuit, and is characterized in that the permanent magnet magnetically cooperates with one of the other ferromagnetic mobile parts in a stable position of equilibrium without current at the end of travel.