Fort Boyard (fortification)

Fort Boyard
In the Pertuis d'Antioche straits, between the Île-d'Aix and the île d'Oléron, on the west coast of France
Fort Boyard in August 2018
Site information
TypeFortress
Controlled by France
Location
Fort Boyard
Coordinates45°59′59″N 1°12′50″W / 45.9996°N 1.2139°W / 45.9996; -1.2139
Site history
BuiltStarted 1801, completed 1857
In use1857–1913
Garrison information
Garrison250 soldiers

Fort Boyard (French pronunciation: [fɔʁ bwajaʁ] ) is a fort built on Boyard bank, an ocean bank located between the Île-d'Aix and the Île d'Oléron in the Pertuis d'Antioche straits on the west coast of France. Though a fort on Boyard bank was suggested as early as the 17th century, it was not until the 1800s under Napoleon Bonaparte that work began. Building started in 1801 and was completed in 1857. In 1967, the final scene of the French film Les aventuriers was filmed at the remains of the fort. Since 1990, it is the filming location for the eponymous TV game show.