The citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Fortified between 1685 and 1689 by the famous architect Vauban, the Citadelle of Blaye is part of the "Verrou Vauban", a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc. This defensive triptych is unique in France! You can visit the Citadelle de Blaye and Fort Médoc, but Fort Pâté can only be seen from the Gironde estuary during a boat trip.

The fortified town of Blaye is a veritable treasure trove of history. Even today, this architectural jewel offers a glimpse of the military art of Vauban and the " Verrou", which valiantly defended the entrance to the Estuary.

Take the time to stroll through the charming narrow streets and meet the craftsmen, restaurateurs and other small traders who keep the citadel alive all year round. Don't miss the Place d'Armes, with its exceptional views over the estuary and its islands. Not far from there, you can see the Couvent des Minimes, built under Henry IV as a place of worship for the garrisons, and the Château des Rudel, the famous Blaye family.

To understand the defensive system of the Citadelle of Blaye, you can explore its underground passages on a guided tour. This plunge into the heart of the edifice will allow you to discover all the genius of Vauban. This visit is a real journey back in time and will delight the whole family.

And why not spice things up a bit with themed guided tours? You can opt for an escape game-style visit to the underground passages, or end your underground tour with wine tasting in a château, or discover the citadel on a miniature train...

Discover and book your themed tours of Blaye on the Tourist Office website.

As you stroll through the typical narrow streets of the citadel, between restaurants, arts and crafts workshops and small food shops, stop off at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du pays Blayais. The walls of the museum once housed a civil and military prison, then a bakery in the 19th century. Today, the museum presents 7000 years of the history of the citadel and the town of Blaye.

You'll discover illustrations, period furniture, archaeological remains and reconstructions. The museum is an opportunity to find out more about the life of soldiers in the citadel and the people of Blay over the centuries!

Blaye is ideally situated on the Gironde estuary, which is undoubtedly one of the central features of this destination. At 635 km2 and 12 kilometres wide, the Gironde estuary is the best preserved and largest in Western Europe. There are a number of ways to discover it: ferry crossings from the Médoc, guided cruises along the water or kayak trips for the more sporty.

The estuary is home to many treasures, starting with its islands, each of which has its own special charm. Only three islands can be visited: Ile de Patiras, Ile Margaux and Ile Nouvelle. Many cruises are available from Blaye to visit them. The other islands are protected nature reserves for flora and fauna. The other special feature that makes the estuary so charming: the carrelets! These little wooden huts on stilts are an integral part of the Gironde landscape and are the emblems of the estuary. They are used for carrelet fishing, a technique using a square net that is lowered and raised on the incoming and outgoing tides, without the use of bait. The "carrelet" refers to both the net (and the fishing technique) and the hut that houses it.

Contrary to popular belief, the vineyards of the Blayais are older than those of the Médoc. Blaye and Bourg were already major wine-producing ports in the Middle Ages, while on the Médoc side, villages such as Pauillac and Margaux, now renowned for their wines, made their living from livestock farming.

The Blaye vineyards cover more than 6,000 hectares, with three main AOCs to discover: Blaye, which produces mainly red wines; Côtes de Blaye, with white wines; and Premières Côtes de Blaye, which produces red and white wines. In a magnificent setting of charming old buildings surrounded by vineyards, several châteaux offer fascinating tours, including Château Bel Air La Royère, Château Dubraud and Château Monconseil-Gazin.