An electromagnetic actuator including an actuating member associated with an armature and able to move between two extreme positions under the action of an elastic member and two electromagnets that attract the armature to one of the extreme positions, where the electromagnets each include a coil, a core for channeling a flux of the coil so that it forms a return path in the armature, and permanent magnets associated with the core so that the latter channels a flux of the permanent magnets so that it forms a return path in the armature, where the permanent magnets of one of the electromagnets exert a force on the armature sufficient to retain the armature in the associated extreme position against the springs, and where the permanent magnets of the other electromagnet exerts a force on the armature insufficient to retain the armature in the associated extreme position against the springs.