- A boat named « Le Patoche » was introduced in the new « Hidden Baths » challenge in August 2026.
- Presenter Cyril Féraud confirmed that the name pays tribute to the show’s original host, Patrice Laffont.
- This nod also honours the memory of a long-serving prop technician on the programme who shared the same nickname.
A symbolic reference integrated into the game
As part of the 2026 season of Fort Boyard, a subtle tribute has been integrated into one of the show’s new challenges, titled the « Hidden Baths ». During this team task, participants must move a small vessel across the water using only the power of their breath. Sharp-eyed viewers noticed that the boat bore the inscription « Le Patoche », a direct reference to the nickname of Patrice Laffont, who was the first host and the iconic face of the programme between 1990 and 1999. Presenter Cyril Féraud officially confirmed this intention on social media, specifying that it was a double tribute also aimed at a long-standing prop master from the production team. This symbolic choice ensures the memory of the former presenter is woven into the very fabric of the physical and playful challenges of this French television institution.
Preserving a television legacy
This initiative follows previous marks of respect for the presenter, who passed away on 7 August 2024. Before his death, Patrice Laffont had actively participated in the show’s 30th-anniversary celebrations in 2019, and later filmed a special episode for the 35th anniversary, which the public broadcaster brought forward for a posthumous airing. Unlike one-off tributes or traditional archive sequences, the use of the name « Patoche » on a physical game element creates a lasting trace of his time within the fort. This special attention highlights the production team’s attachment to its founding figures, while maintaining the subtlety required for a contemporary entertainment show. The inclusion of this detail demonstrates a desire to balance the constant renewal of the challenge catalogue with the preservation of the show’s historical heritage.
