Foura webcam - Panorama from Fort Vauban, view of Fort Boyard
Fort Boyarde was to form a line of fortifications from Fort Aix and Fort de la Rade to Ile d'Ix to protect Rochefort's arsenal from invasions by the Royal Navy. Because of the limited range of artillery in the 17th century, the fields of fire between the fortifications on Aix and Oleron did not overlap. A fort on the boyard bank, about midway between the two, would have filled that gap.
In 1692 a French engineer, Decombs, began planning a program to build a fort, but once it became clear how expensive it would be to abandon the scheme, Vovan, Louis XIV's leading military engineer, advised him, "Your Majesty, it would be easier to grab the moon with your teeth than to attempt such a commitment in such a place."
After the British raid on the Ile d'Aix in 1757, plans for a fort on the Boyard Bank were again considered. Although the plans were drawn up, some problems again affected the subsequent construction and use of the fort.
Efforts were renewed under Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800, and the following year engineers Ferregau and Armand Samuel de Marescot and Vice-Admiral François Etienne de Rosily-Mesros designed the fort, which was built on shore. A port was established on the island of Oleron to facilitate the work. The village of Beauerville was built for workers.
The first phase of construction was the creation of a plateau, about 100 by 50 m (330 by 160 feet), which acted as the foundation. Stones were laid on the shore for this purpose. You can also see the panorama from Fort Vauban and the view of Fort Boyard on your computer in real time.
For this purpose, there is a web camera with online broadcasting. It is worth saying that the project was suspended in 1809. Construction resumed in 1837 under Louis-Philippe after renewed tensions in the United Kingdom.
The fortifications were completed in 1857, with enough room for a garrison of 250 men. By the time it was completed, however, the range of cannons had greatly increased, making the fort unnecessary for national defense.
