History of the Fort
In the 17ᵉ century, when Rochefort’s arsenal needed the best possible protection from enemy attack, the range of the artillery did not yet allow fire to be crossed between the fortifications on the islands of Oleron and Aix. It was therefore decided to build an ambitious fort on a sandbar in the open sea, halfway between the two islands. However, the pharaonic project would not see the light of day until the 19th century: Napoleon Bonaparte decided to launch the work in 1803. Between storms and English attacks, construction was interrupted several times, before finally being abandoned for several decades from 1809 onwards. This 27-meter-wide stone vessel is now a popular excursion for tourists in the Poitou Charente region.
Construction of the fort resumed under Louis-Philippe in 1848. It took 10 years to complete the base and then build the fort. In 1857, the watchtower dominating the building was erected. But by the second half of the 19th century, the fort’s original purpose was no longer relevant: artillery had made great strides, and fire could now be crossed between the two islands. The imposing fort was used very little, serving for a few years as a military prison before being completely abandoned.
In the 60s, a private individual was even able to buy Fort Boyard for a modest sum at auction. At the end of the 80s, the building finally became the property of the Conseil Général de Charente-Maritime, with exclusive use by the production company of Jacques Antoine, creator of the successful TV game show still filmed in the fort and presented by Olivier Mine.
Cruises to Fort Boyard
Several companies offer cruises around Fort Boyard: an opportunity to get up close to the famous monument, whose setting is the stuff of TV dreams, to admire its proportions and imagine the technical feats involved in its construction. Cruises to the Fort are available from the old port of La Rochelle, the port of Rochefort, Fouras, La Tremblade and Port-des-Barques, as well as from the islands of Ré and Oléron.
To embark from Ile d’Oléron, go to Saint-Denis or Boyardville, with the following companies:
- Inter-Îles and its 8 boats departing from both ports La Marcelle for a tour of the fort on an old sailing ship departing from Boyardville
- Île ou Aile for an aperitif overlooking the fort on a catamaran
- Oléron Cruises departing from Saint-Denis during the day or at sunset
- Boyard Voile for a cruise to Fort Boyard on a catamaran from Boyardville
Discovery Sailing on a 12-person sailboat in Boyardville harbour with aperitif at the end of the day
Can we visit the fort?
Although it’s not on the island, Fort Boyard is one of the must-see sights on the Ile d’Oléron. While there are many ways to discover the Fort during a sea cruise, the interior of the building is not open to the public. It’s reserved for the show’s film crew, emblematic characters such as Father Fouras, and guests and contestants who take part in riddles and tests of all kinds. Unless you win a contest orare invited as a journalist or blogger, you’ll only be able to see the setting of the former prison from behind your TV screen. A boat cruise is therefore the best way to see as much as possible of the fort during your Made in Camp holiday on the Ile d’Oléron: in particular, you’ll get a glimpse of its entrance and access platform, which don’t appear on the screen. You’ll be able to admire the impressive dimensions of the building, and also get a perfect view of the sea-facing lookout at the front of the edifice.
Visit our region
Cycle paths on the Ile d’Oléron
Visit Château-d’Oléron
Château-d’Oléron Citadel
Le Marais aux oiseaux
Boyardville
Port des Salines
Port de la Cotinière
Chassiron lighthouse
The beaches of Ile Oléron
Campsite Saint-Denis-d’Oléron
Camping La Brée-les-Bains
Camping Saint-Georges-d’Oléron
Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron campsite
Boyardville Campsite
Camping Dolus-d’Oléron
Camping Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
Camping Le Grand-Village-Plage
