Boyardville has a long history mixed with legends, like many places on Oléron Island. According to tradition, a Spanish
galleon and its cargo of gold ran aground in 17th century off Saumonards beach. The village began to develop as large fortifications were built to defend its strategic location, notably
Fort Boyard immediately off of its shores. Fort Galissonière, nearby, hosted small military
garrisons, and in the 19th century. The French Navy chose Boyardville as the place to operate a
torpedo training school, and constructed a Naval academy in 1876. Renowned
Torpedo Boat No. 5 was moored at Boyardville for several years. Boyardville has long been an important
port of entry for cargo passing in and out of the island. Once goods unloaded at the docks, they were transferred to a steam
railway that served the villages on both ends of the island. The old
rail terminal is still visible on Sauzelle Road. Boyardville was seriously damaged by two extremely violent storms in recent decades.
Martin, called "Storm of the Century," struck in December 1999, during which 198 km/h gusts of wind were recorded.
Xynthia hit in February 2010, causing massive flood damage from the ocean, as well as bursting a dam that caused flooding that destroyed many neighborhoods. ==References==