Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Scientists from Ghent University are researching how waves affect Fort Boyard. Starting in 2025, Charente-Maritime will renovate the fort with a €44 million plan, which includes a protective wall and visitor areas.
Scientists from Ghent University are studying how waves affect Fort Boyard, a famous fort from a popular TV show. The fort, located near La Rochelle on the west coast, is in bad shape due to strong waves and bad weather. To fix this, the Charente-Maritime department has announced a renovation plan costing 44 million euros, with some funds going to the research at UGent. The plans include building a protective wall, a landing area for visitors, and a breakwater to help protect the fort. The designs are ready and will be tested soon.
How are scientists from Ghent University testing Fort Boyard’s resilience?
Scientists from Ghent University are making a small model of Fort Boyard, about 2 meters tall, using a 3D printer and concrete. They have a big pool where they create waves like those in France to test how the fort can withstand storms and normal weather. They mentioned that this project is important because the fort is part of our shared history.
Fort Boyard is famous in Flanders because of the 90s TV show “De sleutels van Fort Boyard,” where players had to finish tasks to escape. The fort was built on Napoleon’s orders and finished in 1857. It used to be a prison and a military fort and is almost 70 meters long and 30 meters wide. Next year, the Department of Charente Maritime will start a three-year renovation of the fort.
