is a military complex of 38 acres built between 1685 and 1689 by the military architect François Ferry, director general of fortifications of Guyenne, under the supervision of Sébastien Vauban. Overlooking the estuary of the Gironde, it is located in the town of Blaye, in the northern department of Gironde, France. It forms a vast fortified complex surrounded by curtains, complete with four bastions and three half-moons.

The interior is designed as a real walled built around a parade, a monastery formerly in the religious order minimal, and several barracks. Several elements of the medieval fortifications are included in the new set, including the castle Rudel (twelfth century), the Liverneuf (thirteenth century) and the tower of the Éguillette (fifteenth century).

Designed to be a “lock” to verify the estuary, the citadel is complemented by strong Pate, the Pate Island and the Fort Médoc, located on the opposite bank of the Gironde4.

Historical monument 11 May 2009, it is also one of the twelve integrated Network of Major Vauban Sites sites and is registered as such 7 on the list of World Heritage Unesco5, It is classified since December 20, as a major site Aquitaine.

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