30/09/2026
Today I drove upriver passing through the vineyards famous for Sauterne w**e, to the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. My mission was to see the Huitres Fossiles (oyster fossils) which date back 22 million years. On the same site is the Chateau de Tastes which was the home of the Tastes family since at least the early 13th century. After that, reversing course, I followed narrow village lanes and curvy vineyard roads past Saint-Emilion, to the town of Blaye which is famous for it's Citadelle. Perched high on the banks of the Gironde river, in it's estuary, it was a first line of defense against sea attacks directed at Bordeaux. Built by Vauban in the 17th century, it's unique design made it difficult to breach. It has 1.5km of ramparts which served as a garrison for the French military. Inside there was a convent, prison, barracks, powder magazine, and housed 1,500 soldiers. What made this Citadelle difficult to breach was it's 2 moat design. After fighting past the first ramparts, loosing men, equipment and likely suffering from fatigue, the invaders found themselves facing yet a second moat and even stronger fortifications. All along my drive I stopped and took photos of ancient churches and even a Templar Church. I definitely want to go back because there's still so much more to see.
