Fort Boyard, Sea fortress in Île-d'Aix, France
Fort Boyard is an oval sea fortress built of stone that rises 20 meters (65 feet) above sea level in the Pertuis d'Antioche strait between the islands of Oléron and Aix. The outer walls extend roughly 68 meters (223 feet) in length and 31 meters (102 feet) in width, with towers at both ends of the longer sides.
Military engineers constructed this defensive structure between 1801 and 1857 to protect the arsenal at Rochefort from British naval threats. The lengthy construction faced difficult conditions on the sandbank and several interruptions during the Napoleonic wars.
The former military structure now serves as a backdrop for television productions and draws onlookers who observe its exterior walls from boats. Many visitors recognize the distinctive oval shape from the popular game show that has been filmed here for decades.
Boat tours depart from Fouras-les-Bains, Rochefort, and Port-des-Barques, allowing visitors to circle the fortress and observe its exterior walls up close. The trips typically last several hours and depend on tidal conditions and weather at sea.
The fortress was built on a sandbank that lay submerged under 4.5 meters (15 feet) of water at low tide, requiring a massive wooden foundation. Engineers had to drive thousands of tree trunks into the seabed to create a stable base.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
France's historical architecture documents two millennia of construction, from Roman amphitheaters to modern bridge engineering. The structures demonstrate developments in engineering and architecture across multiple periods. The heritage extends from medieval fortifications like Carcassonne and the...
La Rochelle and its surroundings offer families a range of activities along the French Atlantic coast. The city itself holds several attractions, including the aquarium with over 12,000 marine animals, medieval towers at the Old Port, and various museums such as the Maritime Museum and the New World...
Oléron Island, the largest island in mainland France after Corsica, features a military, maritime, and natural heritage reflecting its strategic position facing the Atlantic Ocean. This Charente island, connected to the mainland since 1966 by a nearly three-kilometer-long bridge, houses...
Aix island lighthouses
3 kmMaison Lecomte
3.3 km
Plage de l'Anse de la Croix
3.1 km
Maison Gourgaud
3.3 km
Caserne Vaudreuil
3.2 km
Plage Boiler
2.4 km
Pointe Sainte-Catherine
3 kmMaison communale d'Île-d'Aix
3.2 kmMaison Lagord
3.3 kmMaison, 38 rue Marengo
3.3 km
Maison, 7 rue Napoléon
3.3 kmMaison, Place d'Austerlitz
3.3 kmMaison Chabert
3.3 kmMaison Malterre
3.3 kmMaison Louvel
3.3 kmChai, 1 rue Napoléon
3.3 kmMaison, 2 rue Napoléon
3.3 kmMaison Courrèges
3.3 km
Maison, 10 rue Napoléon
3.3 km
Maison, 5 rue Napoléon
3.3 km
Chai, 6 rue Napoléon
3.3 km
Maison, 4 rue Napoléon
3.3 kmMaison, 3 rue Napoléon
3.3 kmMaison, 34 rue Marengo
3.2 km
Maison, 8 rue Napoléon
3.3 kmMaison, 30 rue Marengo
3.3 kmMaison Courbebaisse
3.3 kmCroix des prêtres déportés
3.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes