Blaye


Blaye is a commune and subprefecture in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. For centuries, Blaye was a particularly convenient crossing point for those who came from the north and went to Bordeaux or further south, to Spain and Portugal. Fortified since antiquity, this eminently strategic site located on the bank of a large river, was not modernized until the end of the 17th century, thanks to Vauban. It is indeed in 1685 that the Commissaire general des fortifications of Louis XIV will propose the construction of a real lock on the Gironde in order to "take control of the river" and to keep Bordeaux in respect in case of a revolt. It is then that the citadel of Blaye will be built, which constitutes the major element of the estuary control system. Dominating the urban landscape, this imposing building has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, as part of the network of major sites in Vauban.

Population

Its inhabitants are called Blayais or the Blayaises.

Geography

Blaye is located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, close to the A10 autoroute, north of Bordeaux. There is a rail line with occasional freight trains, but no passenger services. A small ferry crosses the Gironde to Lamarque, in Medoc.

History

In ancient times Blaye was a port of the Santones. Tradition states that the Frankish hero Roland was buried in its basilica, which was on the site of the citadel. It is an important location in the epic Jourdain de Blaye.
Blaye was early an important stronghold which played an important part in the wars against the English and the French Wars of Religion. The duchess of Berry was imprisoned in its fortress in 1832–1833.
The town was formerly named Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce and was renamed Blaye in June 1961.

Sights

The town has a citadel built by Vauban on a rock beside the river, which contains the ruins of a medieval castle, :fr:Château des Rudel|Château des Rudel, and the ruins of Basilica of Saint-Romain, which holds the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine, and son of Clotaire II. Nearby, Fort Paté, on an island in the river, and Fort Médoc on its left bank, also of the 17th century, completed Vauban's defenses of the water approaches of Bordeaux.
The citadel of Blaye, its city walls, Fort Paté and Fort Médoc were listed in 2008 as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as part of the "Fortifications of Vauban" group.

Economy

Blaye has a small river-port, mainly used for grain exports. Fine red wine is produced in the district, in the AOC Côtes de Blaye. A large nuclear power station with four reactors is located nearby.

Education

Several schools are located in Blaye.
Public schools include the following:
The town has tribunals of first instance and of commerce.

Twin towns — sister cities

Blaye is twinned with: