Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 visit to the Fort Medoc
Imagined by the famous engineer Sébastien Vauban, the « Bolt
of the Estuary” is located on the Gironde estuary.
It consists of three forts: the Citadel de Blaye, Fort Pâté
and Fort Médoc.
It being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008.
As we know very well the first one fort, we decided to have
a tour this Sunday to the Fort Medoc.
It’s no longer possible to visit the
second one which stands on an island in the middle of the estuary.
The origins of the “Bolt of Estuary”
Built in the 17th century, Louis XIV asked Vauban
to improve the fortification of the Citadel of Blaye in order to protect the
city of Bordeaux. As the cannon fire did not extend the full width of the river
(3km), Vauban built two others forts. Fort Médoc was built in 1689-1690
The Royal Gate known as a real jewel. As an emblem for the king the sun is still marvelously kept
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| The Garone estuary |
Guards of Gironde Built along the bank, soldiers could watch the river through the loopholes
Zoom to the Citadelle of Blaye located on the opposite bank
at 3 km
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| Fort Médoc overviewed from the bank |
In the wall of the Guards of Gironde the numerous loopholes to watch the river
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| Water tank supplying drinking water |
It’s a vast enclosed of fresh water reservoir to retain
rainwater collected from the barracks roofs
The cistern has a capacity of 60,000 liters
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| On the left: the Northern Barracks |
The garrison of Fort Médoc
consists of the barracks with a total of 40 rooms
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| Guards of the Royal Gate viewed from inside the fortifications |
Very
beautiful scenery: the Fort is surrounded with moats connected to the Gironde
by a system of sluices (to maintain the water level despite changes of tide)
