Blaye

French commune
nomcommune=Blaye
Blaye dockside with its grain elevators
région=Aquitaine
département=Gironde
arrondissement=Blaye
canton=Blaye
insee=33058
cp=33390
maire=
mandat=
intercomm=
latitude=45.128611
longitude= -0.661111
alt moy=7 m
alt mini=0
alt maxi=41 m
hectares=642
km²=6.42
sans=4666
date-sans=1999
dens=726
date-dens=1999

Blaye is a commune and sub-prefecture in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.

Geography

Blaye is located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary (which is some 3 km wide at this point), 56 km north of Bordeaux by rail.

History

In ancient times Blaye ("Blavia") was a port of the Santones. Tradition states that the hero Roland was buried in its basilica, which was on the site of the citadel. It was early an important stronghold which played an important part in the wars against the English (who burnt it in 1352) 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.

ights

The town has a citadel built by Vauban on a rock beside the river, and embracing in its enceinte ruins of an old Gothic château. The latter contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine, and son of Clotaire II. Blaye is also defended by the Fort Paté on an island in the river and the Fort Médoc on its left bank, both of the 17th century.

The citadel of Blaye, its city walls, the Fort Paté and the Fort Médoc (the latter in nearby Cussac-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, and carries on trade in wine, brandy, grain, fruit and timber. The industries include the building of small vessels, distilling, flour-milling, and the manufacture of oil and candles. Fine red wine is produced in the district.

Education

Several schools are located in Blaye [http://www.blaye.net/25203/13838.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val*] .

Public schools include:
* Ecole Maternelle Pierre Bergeon
* Ecole Maternelle Lucien Grosperrin
* Ecole Elementaire Pierre Malbeteau
* Ecole Elementaire Andre Vallaeys

Miscellaneous

The town has tribunals of first instance and of commerce.

ee also

*French wine
*Bordeaux wine regions

References

*

External links

* [http://www.blaye.net/ Town council website] (in French)
* [http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pvsn/Blaye/ Personal website about Blaye] (in French)
* [http://www.bernezac.com/Blaye_citadelle_visite_uk.htm Webpage about Blaye Citadel]
* [http://www.fortified-places.com/blaye.html Another webpage about Blaye Citadel]