The starting point of the guided tour of the Citadel through the underground passages is on the parade ground, in the heart of the Citadel. Park in the free parking lots at the foot of the site, and take the time to stroll through the small streets of the fortress where the former barracks now house restaurants, shops, and residential houses.
The estuary and the citadel, an unbreakable link
The guide explains why the water is this color, how the islands are formed, why this location is strategic, and talks about the work of Sébastien Vauban, a military engineer and builder who was responsible for the construction or transformation of 160 fortresses in France.
The citadel of Blaye is perfectly preserved. It illustrates the construction techniques of the famous engineer and his ability to adapt to optimize the defense system of strongholds.
In front of you, Fort Paté on the island of the same name and the Fort Medoc on the other side of the Estuary, testify to Vauban's military ingenuity: he closed the passage to Bordeaux thanks to his three fortresses nicknamed the Vauban Lock listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The underground passages of the citadel
The tour then crosses the citadel to take the royal gate and discover the fortifications from the outside where the remains of the medieval castle have been skillfully integrated into Vauban's defensive system. Here, an access bridge to the fortified castle now integrated into the bastion wall, there, the casemate, an old defense supposed to resist enemy artillery fire and which has become a fallback corridor in the event of an attack...
The coolness of the underground passages and historical anecdotes follow the majestic walls and stories about the soldiers' lives. You'll discover a gun port, a loophole, a ventilation vent, and graffiti, before returning to the great defensive ditches, bastions, and ravelins. Vauban's star reveals its secrets throughout the tour...
Vauban's citadel, a place of life today
The guide describes the living conditions of soldiers in the 17th century and discusses Vauban's life. His work, his career, his ideas, have made this great engineer's unique reputation: UNESCO wished to bequeath his military genius to future generations by inscribing his work on the world heritage list.
The cliff on which Vauban's citadel is perched has been occupied by armed forces since Gallo-Roman times. From the ramparts and various towers, the landscapes and panoramas are breathtaking! Enjoy the tranquility of this site of nearly 38 hectares to stroll, to contemplate, to dream...
Before leaving the citadel and its 1,5 km of ramparts, visit the citadel history museum which occupies the old prison or extend your discovery of the Vauabn Lock by participating in a cruise on the Gironde estuary (July and August only or with Baccalaureat off-season) to better see Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc and be at the heart of Vauban's defensive system.
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