It has been used as the location for the filming of both the French and international versions of the TV game show of the same name since 1990, and was also the location for filming The Last Adventure, starring Alain Delon, Lino Ventura and Joanna Shimkus. The final stage was the restoration of a central courtyard which was completed in early 2004. The outer walls were completely cleaned and the sealing of the terrace completed. Therefore, in 1998, additional restoration work was carried out. However, the fort was still exposed to harmful influences from the sea. In 1996, artillery platforms were also restored. The fort was completely cleared of a huge layer of guano (50 cm thick). An access platform for the berth of ships was built 25 meters from it (the old fort pier was destroyed long ago). In 1989, the reconstruction of fort began in preparation for hosting the game show. In 1950 it was made a listed building, and in 1961 was sold to Charente Maritime Regional Council. 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.Īfter 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. Construction resumed in 1837, under Louis-Philippe, following renewed tensions with the United Kingdom. To this end, stones were piled up on the bank. The first stage of construction was to establish a plateau, some 100 by 50 m (330 by 160 ft), to act as foundation. The village of Boyardville was built for the workers. To facilitate the work, a port was established on île d'Oléron. 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. Though plans were drawn up, it was abandoned again due to the logistical problems. Īfter a British raid on Île-d'Aix in 1757, plans for a fort on Boyard bank were once again considered. Vauban, Louis XIV's leading military engineer, famously advised against it, saying "Your Majesty, it would be easier to seize the moon with your teeth than to attempt such an undertaking in such a place". 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. 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. 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. The construction of the fort was first considered during a build-up of the French armed forces undertaken by Louis XIV between 16. Above that were facilities for barbette guns and mortars. The floor above contained casemates for the emplacements of guns and further quarters. At the centre is a yard, and the ground floor provided stores and quarters for the men and officers. Fort Boyard, seen from the air, during filming of the game show (June 2021)įort Boyard is stadium-shaped, 68 metres (223 ft) long and 31 m (102 ft) wide.
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