October 20 - Blaye Citadel Tour
We woke up today and after breakfast we walked right across the street to tour the historic Blaye Citadel. This was built NOT to defend the city of Blaye just outside the walls, but to defend the waterway which leads to the important city of Bordeaux! As we approached through the "Prince Gate" (pictured above) we walked through the outer ramparts, across the bridge which crossed the dry moat (it was always dry) - the second line of defense - and then through the gate into the city behind the massive walls which were the third line of defense. From the time this was built in the 18th century it was NEVER breached (through sixteen attacks) and provided constant protection of the water route.
It was interesting that unlike other medieval towns with a castle, the people of Blaye were basically on their own, while with the walls were only barracks and living facilities for the armed forces manning the protective site. We crossed through the massive facility to the far side and came to the ruins of a castle that was the original defense structure when it was built in the 11th century - that's old! You'll note that the towers are gone as is the top of the main gate......
But do you notice how it all seems to be "shaved off" at the same height? That is because when the citadel was built the army felt that the six towers of the castle provided an easy target for cannons to use for targeting the citadel. So they were leveled off at the exact same height as the walls of the citadel! The walk from our ship - five minutes from the Prince's Gate - through a complete circle around the structure took over an hour - it was massive. The temperatures were in the upper 50s and the sky was a brilliant blue with bright sunshine. A perfect day for touring a castle in southwestern France - JUST what I'd come over here to do!
Chateau Tour & Private Dinner at Chateau Kirwan
We were all on board by noon when the Forsetti cast off and we cruised to Pauillac during lunch. I sat with my ladies and so enjoyed actual cruising while having another delicious meal. At 2:30 we were all back on the bus - and for the first time all the ladies from the dinner table were on the same bus as we toured some of THE TOP chateau wineries in all of France. We got to walk among the vineyards - actually picked (and ate) some grapes off the vine at one; and walked up a tree-covered walkway to another before ending up at a chateau for more wine tasting. Now it was close to 6 pm and we headed to Chateau Kirwan where Viking hosted a private dinner for the entire ship-full of passengers. We found a table to sit together at, posed for a picture and enjoyed a delicious meal. I met another couple and he is very much into horse racing! Small world, eh? We headed back to the ship around 8:30 and arrived a little after nine.
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