Visit of the Citadel of Blaye

Blaye
Visit of the Citadel  ...
The Gironde is full of treasures to discover over the course of a weekend or a day. Today I will take you to discover an architectural gem dating from the 17th century, based in the north of the Gironde ... An impressive fortress, emblematic of the region and known throughout France and beyond borders: the Citadel of Blaye .


The Citadel of Blaye, a treasure of history

The Citadel of Blaye

Stroll through the village before the guided tour

When you get there, you can only marvel at the robustness of this impressive military ensemble : you feel very small and vulnerable! Built between 1685 and 1689 by the engineer and military architect Vauban , La Citadelle de Blaye had to meet a military as well as a commercial objective : mastering navigation on the Gironde estuary , which it overlooks 35 meters. Indeed, Louis XIV wanted to protect the city of Bordeaux and avoid enemy invasions. The estuary being very wide, the citadel is part of a military complex called " the Lock of the estuary " , supplemented by Fort Pâté (which can be seen from afar) and Fort Médoc (which can be seen visit by boat), a nice trio to control on all sides, the entry of boats ... Finally, few risked it, except for a few English boats in 1814! Is the monument alone a deterrent ? It's up to you to go and visit it!

The Citadel consists of a small village where it is very pleasant to walk . Walk the small alleys up to Place d'Armes , in season and on sunny days there are pretty artisan shops . Continue in the fort and don't forget the impressive underground . The Citadel is marked by time, yet it was not damaged by the attacks (which never really took place), it is therefore a place weathered and embellished by nature , which has regained its rights over the original military vocation.


The whole is a real modern and innovative architectural feat , listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. From 1925, the Citadel of Blaye is listed in the inventory of Historic Monuments , but its integrity is at stake, because the erosion threatens the Pointe de Grave and the solution to dam the estuary requires the exploitation of a quarry, which would have forced the destruction of part of the Citadel. Illustrious figures, political figures and journalists protest, make the affair public and obtain UNESCO registration to permanently protect Vauban's work. Phew!


Why choose the guided tour to visit the Citadel of Blaye?

The visit to the Citadel is free . However, to discover the underground and to better understand the history of this place mythiqu e, I advise you to opt for the guided tour, which reserves to the tourist office. You can make tours every day, all seasons! The very pleasant 1.5 hour walk starts at 2.30pm and will make you look at the buildings from a different angle thanks to unsuspected anecdotes !


The Citadel of Blaye

The group of the day, attentive to the fascinating explanations of our guide

Eva our guide, tells us with passion, the techniques that were put in place to trap the intrepid who would dare to attempt an attack: secret or studded doors , slopes with studied angle of view, demolitions of stairs during attacks… It is a time travel not to be missed. Do not hesitate to reserve your place especially during the long holidays and count € 7 for adults and € 5 for children from 5 to 12 years old.


The Citadel of Blaye

A unique access to visit the underground


Blaye, on the way to Santiago de Compostela

 

Blaye is a famous stopover on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela , the Way of Tours . The estuary has always been a natural stopover that pilgrims had to cross to reach the nearby city of Bordeaux. It is here that we still borrow the bac . At the place where the Citadel is erected, was the Saint-Roman Basilica and the tomb of Roland le Preux , place of pilgrims' collection. Note that inside the Citadel is the Convent of the Minims , which once housed religious of this order.


There are a thousand and one reasons to go to the Citadel of Blaye . For the more seasoned, know that it is also possible to fly over the place by microlight or by plane and thus see the majestic Citadel from another angle!

Good visit


The Citadel of Blaye

In the alleys of the Citadel


Did you like our article? Find others on our BLOG.
Subscribe to the Bordeaux Gironde Guide Facebook page and we are also on Instagram @guidebordeauxgironde

Article prepared by Mélanie Oliva for the Bordeaux Gironde Guide


Back to "Culture and Heritage"

You will also like

Visit Fort Médoc! Heritage and a beautiful view on the program

Visit Fort Médoc! Heritage and a beautiful view on the program
Visit Fort Médoc! Heritage and a beautiful vie ...

5,5 km - Cussac-Fort-Médoc

Eco-responsible tourism in Gironde and around Bordeaux

Eco-responsible tourism in Gironde and around Bordeaux
Eco-responsible tourism in Gironde and around  ...

5,5 km - Cussac-Fort-Médoc

The most beautiful villages on the edge of the Gironde estuary

The most beautiful villages on the edge of the Gironde estuary
The most beautiful villages on the edge of the ...

9,5 km - Margaux

Top 10 wine tours in Bordeaux

Top 10 wine tours in Bordeaux
Top 10 wine tours in Bordeaux

10,4 km - Pauillac

3 reasons to go to the Médoc to enjoy the Indian summer

3 reasons to go to the Médoc to enjoy the Indian summer
3 reasons to go to the Médoc to enjoy the Indi ...

29,2 km - Lesparre-Médoc

Events nearby

Passe la balle, 9e convention de jonglerie

Passe la balle, 9e convention de jonglerie
Passe la balle, 9e convention de jonglerie

09/06/2023 to 11/06/2023

Blaye

Cirque

Colorihalle : arts graphiques et artisanat

Colorihalle : arts graphiques et artisanat
Colorihalle : arts graphiques et artisanat

02/07/2023

Blaye

Expositions

Rando VTT des vins de Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

Rando VTT des vins de Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Rando VTT des vins de Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

04/06/2023

43 m - Blaye

Sorties natures

L'Allée des Arts expose Aurore Lephilipponnat

L'Allée des Arts expose Aurore Lephilipponnat
L'Allée des Arts expose Aurore Lephilipponnat

02/01/2023 to 30/07/2023

260 m - Blaye

Expositions

Exposition "L'Art et la Nature" au Couvent des Minimes

Exposition "L'Art et la Nature" au Couvent des Minimes
Exposition "L'Art et la Nature" au Couvent des ...

17/07/2023 to 31/07/2023

269 m - Blaye

Expositions

Exceptionnel : un dîner dans les vignes de la citadelle de Blaye !

Exceptionnel : un dîner dans les vignes de la citadelle de Blaye !
Exceptionnel : un dîner dans les vignes de la  ...

26/07/2023

279 m - Blaye

Fêtes populaires

Théâtre avec la Compagnie des Oreilles décollées

Théâtre avec la Compagnie des Oreilles décollées
Théâtre avec la Compagnie des Oreilles décollées

24/06/2023

281 m - Blaye

Théâtre

Concert Les vendredis d'Afoulki

Concert Les vendredis d'Afoulki
Concert Les vendredis d'Afoulki

21/07/2023

281 m - Blaye

Musique

Découverte de l'Ile Nouvelle

Découverte de l'Ile Nouvelle
Découverte de l'Ile Nouvelle

08/08/2023

305 m - Blaye

Sorties natures

Exposition de véhicules anciens Rétromobile Gabaye

Exposition de véhicules anciens Rétromobile Gabaye
Exposition de véhicules anciens Rétromobile Gabaye

18/06/2023

366 m - Blaye

Evènements sportifs

You will like also

Blaye

Blaye
Blaye

The Vauban citadel, a city within a city, built on the side of a cliff and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ...

89 m - Blaye

Citadel of Blaye

Citadel of Blaye
Citadel of Blaye

The Citadel of Blaye is an emblematic site because it is part of the "military lock" designed by Vauban to protect ...

222 m - Blaye

L'Estuaire de la Gironde et ses îles

L'Estuaire de la Gironde et ses îles
L'Estuaire de la Gironde et ses îles

The Gironde estuary comes from the meeting between the rivers Dordogne and Garonne at the level of Bec d'Ambès, and ...

326 m - Blaye

Fort Médoc

Fort Médoc
Fort Médoc

The Fort-Médoc is a Vauban-style military site in the commune of Cussac-Fort-Médoc. Located on the banks of the ...

3,7 km - Cussac-Fort-Médoc

Lanessan Castle Park

Lanessan Castle Park
Lanessan Castle Park

Located in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, in the mouth of the Gironde, the Lanessan Castle Park forms a green space that brings ...

5,5 km - Cussac-Fort-Médoc

Ride around

Boucle à vélo Blaye-Lac de Saint-Christoly

Boucle à vélo Blaye-Lac de Saint-Christoly
Boucle à vélo Blaye-Lac de Saint-Christoly

70 m - Blaye

Velo hybrid

Boucle à vélo Blaye-Terres d'oiseaux

Boucle à vélo Blaye-Terres d'oiseaux
Boucle à vélo Blaye-Terres d'oiseaux

81 m - Blaye

Velo hybrid

Piste cyclable Blaye - Etauliers

Piste cyclable Blaye - Etauliers
Piste cyclable Blaye - Etauliers

94 m - Blaye

Velo hybrid

Boucle pédestre "Vignoble en citadelle" à Blaye

Boucle pédestre "Vignoble en citadelle" à Blaye
Boucle pédestre "Vignoble en citadelle" à Blaye

109 m - Blaye

Walking

Boucle pédestre "Blaye, boucle du village ancien"

Boucle pédestre "Blaye, boucle du village ancien"
Boucle pédestre "Blaye, boucle du village ancien"

250 m - Blaye

Walking