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Vauban: an enduring legacy

The entire Estuary bears the stamp of the most renowned of all French kings, Louis XIV, and his faithful architect, Vauban, whose talents were made full use of in 1685, when he was commissioned to create a defensive arsenal to protect Bordeaux from sea invasion. 
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The entire Estuary bears the stamp of the most renowned of all French kings, Louis XIV, and his faithful architect, Vauban, whose talents were made full use of in 1685, when he was commissioned to create a defensive arsenal to protect Bordeaux from sea invasion. 
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Countering invasions by English or Spanish fleets seeking to reach Bordeaux via the Estuary was one of Louis XIV’s major preoccupations in the 17th century.

La citadelle de Blaye
CDT 33 - Yannick Serrano

Vauban was therefore entrusted with the task of building a defensive arsenal on the Estuary.

His first fort is located in Blaye, on the Estuary’s right bank, and is in the form of a citadel. The second stands on Ile Pâté in the midst of the Estuary, and the third, Fort-Médoc, completes the system on the Gironde Estuary’s left bank.

The three forts were able to catch ships in their crossfire, preventing them from getting through towards the city.

The system was only put to the test once, and with success, in 1814 in Blaye, on the occasion of an attempted invasion on the part of the English. The army finally declassified the forts as “strongholds” in 1934.

These days, Artists and craftspeople imbue the Blaye Citadel with a rather more peaceful atmosphere, but the place has lost none of its majesty.

The fortress on Ile Pâté still stands proudly over the Estuary, and at the entrance to the fort of Cussac-Fort-Médoc, the royal gateway with its sculpted pediment adorned with Louis XIV’s emblem, the sun, is still as impressive as ever.

The Blaye Citadel, Fort-Pâté and Fort-Médoc have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list, classified as “Cultural Goods”, since 7 July 2008, under the name ”Verrou Vauban” (Vauban’s lock).

Not to be missed!

On 14 July, an international show-jumping competition is held in the moats of the Blaye Citadel – be sure to be there!

Jean-Pierre Elkabbach aime la citadelle de Blaye.
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Zoom in on guided tours

“Assault on Vauban’s Lock”

  The Blaye Tourist Office and “La Ginette” both invite you to set out on a unique voyage of discovery bound for the Estuary’s “lock”. The tour begins in the Citadel’s underground galleries, then continues through its narrow little streets in search of its major monuments. Following refreshments,  a spot of coastal sailing among the Estuary’s islands aboard “La Ginette”.

June and September , Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.: Departure aboard “La Ginette”

Prices: 8€ for adults and 6€ for children.

July and August, Tuesdays and Thursdays:

2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.: guided tour of the Blaye Citadel
5:30 p.m.: departure aboard “La Ginette”
Prices: 11€ for adults and 6€ for children

Canton of Blaye Tourist Office
+33 5 57 42 12 09
info@tourisme-blaye.com http://www.tourisme-blaye.com

Guided tour of the Citadel and its underground galleries

In season, tours of the Citadel focusing on its underground galleries, in order to understand the full genius of Vauban and the fortress’s defensive system.
For days and times, consult the Tourist Office (booking advisable).
Prices: 5€ per adult and 3€ per child (5-12 years of age).
Canton of Blaye Tourist Office
+33 (0)5 57 42 12 09
info@tourisme-blaye.com www.tourisme-blaye.com

Theme-based guided tours to the Citadel

A few examples of tours on offer:

“Monumental archaeology in the Blaye Citadel”, “The medieval remains preserved in Blaye Citadel”, “Political Prisoners incarcerated in Blaye Citadel (history, places of imprisonment, and testimonies that have come down to us)”, and “Everyday life in the Citadel in the 17th and 18th centuries”.
Prices: 4€ per person for 1 visit, 5€ for 2 visits, and 6€ for 3 visits.

Musée d’Archéologie et d’Histoire, Blaye
+33 6.82.34.72.66museedeblaye@orange.fr

The little train, Blaye

JavaScript to view it.  Another way of discovering Blaye’s history and heritag
In July, August and September, departures daily at 11:30 a.m. (except Sunday mornings), 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Duration: 50 minutes - Prices: adults 6€ and children 4€, reduced rate 5€ (groups and students)
On Sunday mornings, the little train sets off for Château Marquis de Vauban, for a visit to the vineyard and a wine-tasting session.
Duration of the Sunday morning expedition: 2 hours - Prices: adults 10€ and children 8€

Canton de Blaye Tourist Office
+33 5 57 42 12 09
info@tourisme-blaye.com www.tourisme-blaye.com

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