See also: Fort Boyard (homonymy)

The strong Boyard is a fortification located between the island of Aix and the island of Oléron, in the department of the Charente-Maritime. It was built initially to protect the roads from the English marine of the 17th century. Strong Boyard forms integral part of the Maritime Arsenal of Rochefort which extends throughout the estuary from Charente. It is today a property of the General advice of the Charente-Maritime.

Presentation

The strong one is 61 meters long on 31 meters broad. The enclosing walls culminate with 20 meters. It is built on a sand bank named skirts of Boyard which gave its name at the height. It is visible since Fouras, since the bridge which connects the island of Oléron to the continent (southern of the island), but also since the headlight of Chassiron per good weather (extreme north of the island). Each summer, a fireworks is drawn there, that one can see since all the beaches of the neighborhoods. This fireworks contains thousands of explosives and lasts on average about thirty minutes.

History

The strong one was built in order to protect the arsenal from Rochefort-on-Sea which was one of most prestigious empire. The exact reason of the construction of this fort in addition to the batteries of artillery available on the coasts of the various islands east which the range of the latter was too weak (approximately 1500 meters) and which it remained a zone out of reach between the two islands.

It is as of the end of construction of the arsenal (1666) that the need for a protection was evoked. One considers upon the departure the go along of Boyard as bases for construction but, after the various statements, Vauban will say to Louis XIV:

Lord, it would be easier to seize the Moon with the teeth than to try in this place similar work .

It was then necessary to await the whole beginning of the 19th century so that the question becomes again of topicality. A project was proposed with Napoleon and in 1801, work began. In order to allow the construction of the fort, this project envisaged to sit this one on a basis of rocks. Rocks of the royal careers were stored with Boyardville and their deposit on the longe started. This operation could be carried out only during a few hours each day, at the time of the low tide, because of the current. It is also because of the current which one can carry out this work only at the beautiful season. But the result is not that discounted, the rocks being inserted under their own weight. Finally, in 1809, this project is deferred.

It will be necessary to await the reign of Louis-Philippe and the renewal of the tensions between French and Britanniques so that the project begins again, in 1837. A new method is implemented. It is not any more of the rocks which are cast but lime boxes, on the spot built. Finally, in 1848, the construction of the base is completed, this one rises with two meters above the sea level with high tide. The construction of the fort strictly speaking will take ten years then:

• 1852 : the construction of the lower level is completed (stores with powder and food, kitchens).
• 1854 : end of the construction of the first level.
• 1857 : the construction of the fort is completed with the last level and the tower of watchtower.

The fort can then accommodate two hundred and fifty men during two months without contact with the continent. But, between the first projects and the completion of construction, the range of the guns increased and the utility of the fort is some limited. There will remain all the same an important work of construction on the sea, as well as certain headlights. Its military use will be never that which it should have been. It becomes the target of the plunderers then, more nobody cannot what make some. Under the Common , it will be used as prison.
Finally, in 1913, the army separates some, the guns are resold. During the Second world war, it will be used as target of drive with the German .

In 1961, the fort is put at the biddings at the price of 7  500 francs. The bidding will be gained for 28  000 francs per Eric Aerts, dentist with Avoriaz, which will leave the fort to the abandonment. It resells this fort in 1989 for 1,5 million francs to the producer of television games Jacques Antoine. This one resells it at once with the General advice of Charente-Maritime. In exchange, the department begins to carry out renovation works, and ensures the exclusiveness in the exploitation of the place JAC, the production company of Jacques Antoine. Since, the place becomes the framework of a television program.

Rebirth since 1989

As of 1989, the total restoration of the fort starts. A offshore oil rig platform (always presents but that one never sees on television) is built with twenty five meters of the fort, to give of them access in boat, become impossible since the destruction of the harbor of boarding. The fort is entirely cleaned, fifty centimetres of Guano and seven hundred meter-cubic of various dirtinesses is evacuated. It is built a court interior on the first floor, and the central court is divided into two: the " room of the trésor" and another room which is used to introduce the candidates.

In 1996, the artillery platforms are dismounted and restored. But strong Boyard is fragile, and still undergoes the damage of the sea. After turnings in 1998, the department decides to start a new stage in the restoration of the monument. The entirety of the Terrasse will be dismounted, stones by stones, and reimplanted after being cleaned. The Hélicoptère employed for work will have made on the whole nearly six thousand rotations between the fort and Boyardville.

This restoration also allows a complete cleaning of the walls of frontage, as well as a repair of a certain number of Fissure S. the sealing of the terrace is completely remade. The site of the clock, not restored in 1989, is repaired in 1998. With final this section of work of September 1998 at April 1999 will have lasted. The last restoration in date is that of the central court during the winter 2003 - 2004.

Since 1950, strong Boyard is classified with the Additional Inventory of the Historic buildings.

Television

• Since 1990, a television game entitled in the beginning the Keys of strong Boyard then Fort Boyard is turned there, making use of the cells of the fort for plays of force or address.

• strong Boyard was one of the stages of Hunting for the treasures , another television game created by Jacques Antoine and animated by Philippe of Dieuleveult.

Cinema

The strong one was also used as decoration with the turning of following films:

• Rest of the warrior (1962)
• the Adventurers (1967)

Gallery

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