Blaye - Gironde

In "De Bello Gallico" Julius Caesar mentions "Blavia Santorum", what developed into a fortified place in Roman times. Within the 4th century a basilica was built on the rocky promontory, in 625 a Merovingian castle existed here. Legendary Roland, nephew and paladin of Charlemagne, the owner of the sword Durendal (see "Rocamadour"), who got killed at the Battle of Roncevaux, was Lord of Blaye.

The Basilica Saint-Romain was a major halt for all medieval pilgrims, but the basilica (and hundreds of houses) got destroyed, when the citadelle was built by Vauban in the 17th century.

The Gironde, seen from the citadelle, on a rainy day.