Blaye is a commune of the Gironde département, in France. Pop. (1906) of the town, 3423; of the commune, 4890. The commune (in French: commune, word appeared in the 12th century, from Medieval Latin communia, meaning a gathering of people sharing a common life, from Latin communis, things held in common) is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. ... Gironde is a département in the southwest of France named after the Gironde Estuary. ... The départements (or departments) are administrative units of France and many former French colonies, roughly analogous to British counties. ...

Geography

Blaye is located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary (here over 2 m. wide), 35 m. north of Bordeaux by rail. The Gironde is a navigable estuary, but often referred to as a river, in southwest France. ... City motto: Lilia sola regunt lunam undas castra leonem. ...

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 and the Religious Wars. The duchess of Berry was imprisoned in its fortress in 1832-1833. Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne; from a manuscript of a chanson de geste. ... Caroline Ferdinande Louise, duchesse de Berry (1798-1890). ... 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1833 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The town was formerly named Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce and was renamed Blaye on June, 1961.

Sights

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 Caribert, king of Toulouse, 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. Vauban designed this pentagonal fortress to withstand sieges. ... Clotaire II (584-629), King of Neustria, and from 613-629 King of all the Franks, was not yet born when his father, King Chilperic I died in 584. ...

Economy

It 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.

Miscellaneous

The town is the seat of a sub-prefect, and has tribunals of first instance and of commerce and a communal college.

External links and references

• Town council website (in French)
• Personal website about Blaye (in French)
• Webpage about Blaye Citadel
• This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which is in the public domain.