Blaye

Always a strategically important defensive position, the town of Blaye was fought over many times and changed hands on numerous occasions during the 100 years war between England and France. Views of the Gironde estuary, which is reputedly the only place outside Russia and Iran where Sturgeon have been caught.

Blaye and the river Gironde was the setting for the exploits of the ‘Cockleshell Heroes’, ten World War II Royal Marine Commandos. They disabled five ships, but of the ten commandos who set out, only two survived to make it back to UK. The story was told in the 1956 movie, ‘The Cockleshell Heroes’, staring Trevor Howard and Jose Ferrer.

For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages (Wine Regions, Places of Interest)