Fort Boyard

Île-d'Aix, France

Fort Boyard is located between the Île-d'Aix and the Île d'Oléron in the Pertuis d'Antioche straits, on the west coast of France and is the filming location for the eponymous TV game show since 1990.

The construction of the fort was first considered during a build-up of the French armed forces undertaken by Louis XIV between 1661 and 1667. Fort Boyard was to form a line of fortification with Fort Enet and Fort de la Rade on Île-d'Aix to protect the arsenal of Rochefort from Royal Navy incursions. With the limited range of artillery in the 17th century, there was an unprotected gap between the fields of fire of the fortifications on the islands of Aix and Oléron; a fort on Boyard bank, roughly midway between the two, would have filled that gap. In 1692 the French engineer Descombs began planning the programme of building the fort; however, once it became clear how expensive it would be the scheme was abandoned.

After a British raid on Île-d'Aix in 1757, plans for a fort on Boyard bank were once again considered. Though plans were drawn up, it was abandoned again due to the logistical problems. Efforts were renewed under Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800, and the following year engineers Ferregeau and Armand Samuel de Marescot, and Vice-Admiral François Étienne de Rosily-Mesros designed a fort to be built on the bank.

The project was suspended in 1809. Construction resumed in 1837, under Louis-Philippe, following renewed tensions with the United Kingdom. The fortifications were completed in 1857, with sufficient room for a garrison of 250 men; however, by this time the range of cannons had significantly increased, covering the hitherto unprotected gap and making the fort unnecessary.

After 1871, Fort Boyard was briefly used as a military prison, and abandoned in 1913, after which the unmaintained fort slowly deteriorated and crumbled into the sea. In 1950 it was made a listed building, and in 1961 was sold to Charente Maritime Regional Council.

In 1989, the reconstruction of fort began in preparation for hosting the game show. An access platform for the berth of ships was built 25 meters from it (the old fort pier was destroyed long ago). The fort was completely cleared of a huge layer of guano (50 cm thick). In 1996, artillery platforms were also restored. However, the fort was still exposed to harmful influences from the sea. Therefore, in 1998, additional restoration work was carried out. The outer walls were completely cleaned and the sealing of the terrace completed. The final stage was the restoration of a central courtyard which was completed in early 2004.

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Île-d'Aix, France
See all sites in Île-d'Aix

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Founded: 1800
Category: Castles and fortifications in France

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Sigita Jen (2 months ago)
I took a boat from La Rochelle to go around the fort.... it takes about 2 hours to go there and back as you can't go in there, just around (at least we weren't able to)... if I was going there again, would go to Fort Boyard and stay for a day in il'e de Aix before going back to La Rochelle
Robert Robert (4 months ago)
This place has been on my bucket list for a while and I recently visited in the last week of June. I used one of the boat tour companies and it was incredible and a must do if you're in La Rochelle. Although you can't land on the fort, it's still spectacular to circle it and admire the fort that's been on our TV in the past, and for some countries still is!
Guide (16 months ago)
Amazing place. You can reach it by booking a boat trip around it with a very reasonable cost.
Oksana Sukhenko (18 months ago)
Unique place. I've dreamt to see it since my early years. Unfortunately, we did only one circle around it, but it's really magically beautiful.
Chris G (4 years ago)
Just amazing to see this fort in the sea - also interesting to know the stories behind it. Really want to go inside and explore more..
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