Fodor's Expert Review Vauban's Bolt and the Blaye Citadel

Unique in France, the perfectly preserved 17th-century Bolt of the Estuary was built by Vauban—Louis XIV's trusted marshal and France's most famous military engineer—between 1686 and 1689 to protect Bordeaux from sea invaders. Of Vauban's 160 fortresses still standing in France, the Bolt is one of only 12 listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The huge site covers more than 55 acres and includes the Citadel of Blaye on the right bank, Fort Pâté on a river island, and Fort Médoc on the opposite bank and encloses a 12th-century castle and gate and a 15th-century tower. The citadel also houses a museum and the Gironde Estuary Interpretation Center. One-hour guided tours in English are offered every day between June and September at 3 pm and can be booked at the Tourist Information Center.