Boyardville is a small resort village on the sheltered eastern coast of Île d'Oléron, facing the strait where Fort Boyard sits in the water about 3 km offshore. The village has a pine forest, a small harbour, a good sandy beach on the northern side, and the best view of Fort Boyard from dry land anywhere on the island.
The harbour at Boyardville is the departure point for boat tours that circle the fort in summer — the standard 90-minute trip is the closest most people get to the famous sea fortress. The village is calmer than the western beaches in summer and the pine forest behind it provides welcome shade. A handful of restaurants and cafes line the waterfront.