Fortifications de Vauban - Citadelle de Blaye

Reference : FR007

POSTCARD AVAILABLE FOR TRADE
Size : 10 x 15 cm

"Citadel of Blaye"

Blaye fortress was built by Vauban in the 17th century. King Louis XIV wanted to protect the city of Bordeaux from a possible english attack. Therefore, Vauban decided to improve the medieval fortifications and, in order to completely close the estuary, he also built Fort Pâté on an island facing the Citadel of Blaye and Fort Médoc on the opposite bank. These three forts and Vauban’s system of defence are listed as World Heritage by the UNESCO.

Location of 12 groups of Fortifications of Vauban in France

As one of 12 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the western,
northern and eastern borders of France, designed by Vauban (1633–1707),
and called Fortifications of Vauban,
the Citadelle de Blaye is registered as a UNESCO w.h.s.

UNESCO w.h.s. :
Fortifications of Vauban

Date of inscription : 2008

Fortifications of Vauban consists of 12 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the western, northern and eastern borders of France. They represent the finest examples of the work of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), a military engineer of King Louis XIV. The serial property includes towns built from scratch by Vauban, citadels, urban bastion walls and bastion towers. There are also mountain forts, sea forts, a mountain battery and two mountain communication structures. This property is inscribed as bearing witness to the peak of classic fortifications, typical of western military architecture. Vauban also played a major role in the history of fortification in Europe and on other continents until the mid-19th century.