Showing posts with label Blaye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blaye. Show all posts

10/24/2023

Blaye, France: Le Citadelle de Blaye

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After spending time in Bordeaux, I traveled upstream to explore Cadillac, to explore the colorful life of Toulouse-Lautrec at Chàteau de Malromè. Now, meandering just north of Bordeaux, is Blaye (blaj), a commune, fortified since antiquity. Join me in discovering this ancient citadel once again.


The Aquitaine region straddles a prominent position in southwest France. It stretches long and leans against the French Atlantic coastline, reaching up to the Pyrénées mountain range and extending to the Spanish border.  It is here, in the Gironde department, where intrepid travelers can scamper to the summit of storybook castles, bike through vineyard-laced countryside, walk through ancient villages, and sip world-renowned wines.  Tourists and travelers alike can discover the douceur de vivre in this tiny one-kilometer-long settlement, once named Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce.

Let me introduce you to Blaye, France, a petite but mighty hamlet, sitting at the southern tip of the Gironde estuary, formed by the confluences of the nearby Dordogne and Garonne rivers.  Blaye is a historical and powerful commune from medieval times, where the Citadel of Blaye and its military fortifications sit majestically over the waters of Western Europe’s largest estuary.

 

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina


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12/30/2016

Happy New Year: Celebrating Beautiful Memories of 2016

Happy New Year! Thanks to our readers who joined J. Christina on our travel adventures.  We zigzagged through picturesque hamlets, strolled beautiful cobblestone streets, sipped regional wines, and climbed to the tippy-top of medieval ramparts, through Spain, Portugal, France, and many other dreamy destinations.

We enjoyed sharing our outstanding year of travels with you: on foot, river cruise ship, motorcoach, and private transport to places that will linger in our memories forever.  We had the great privilege to wake up each day to vistas that some only glimpse on a postcard.  Happily, we invite you to reminisce through our images and reflect along with us. 

 Smiling with your eyes is a wonderful thing!

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Terrace -  Paris, France

We are looking forward to our 2017 travels, hopscotching through The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France, once again. While looking beyond to travels in China and India.  Wishing you health, happiness, and safe travels always. 

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11/01/2016

Blaye & Bourg, France - Medieval Storybook Villages


Let J. Christina introduce you to Blaye, France, a petite but mighty hamlet, sitting at the southern tip of the Gironde estuary formed by the confluences of the nearby Dordogne and Garonne rivers.  Blaye is an historical and powerful commune from medieval times, where the Citadel of Blaye and its military fortifications sit majestically over the waters of Western Europe’s largest estuary.
Le Citadelle De Blaye, a medieval fortress, along with Fort Médoc and Fort Paté, formed a military defense system, during the 18th and 19th centuries to protect the downstream port of Bordeaux from sea invasions and wars.  It is a legendary example of engineering genius and Romanesque architecture designed and built by the famous engineer Vauban and named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.  A picture-postcard town, with scarred ramparts, that bears witness to battles and conflict through this gallant maritime route.  

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
   Colorful and charming Blaye, France
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6/23/2016

Blaye, Pauillac, France - Sailboats & Bicycle


Now, where is this alluring Médoc wine region? We weave and coil our way on narrow riverside  
roads, to find it wedged between the Atlantic coastline and the broad Gironde Estuary-essentially
the tip of a peninsula.


Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Beautiful day for sailboats and a bicycle in Blaye & Pauillac, France

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina


Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
The Citadel of Blaye is a 17th century fortress in the town of Blaye. 

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