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Park on Allée du Stade, in the car park opposite the Blaye fire station.
(S/E) Return to the small square and cross Rue Joseph Taillasson to reach the pavement opposite. Walk about 50 metres before turning left at a right angle at the second marker. You will then find yourself on a charming path running behind the houses, surrounded by small gardens and chicken coops. Continue to the tarmac road (Rue des Filles de la Charité) where you will find an arrow sign.
(1) Turn left, then take the first road on the right, following the sign for "livraison hôpital" (hospital deliveries). A little further on, walk along a paved path and continue straight ahead, skirting the cemetery.
When you reach the tarmac road, continue straight ahead.
(2) Continue straight ahead on the dirt track between the stone walls. You are now on the Voie de Tours pilgrimage route, marked by specific signage on the signposts. From this point onwards, you will enjoy numerous views of the Gironde estuary on your left. You will walk above this landscape of water and marshes for a long time, overlooking Château La Grange.
This will take you to a place called Labrousse, named after the château that stands before you.
(3) Continue along the tarmac road and turn right at the château onto Chemin des Trois Moulins, then right again, leaving Chemin des Vignes on your left. You will climb up to the plateau through a landscape of vineyards typical of the Blaye region. The views of the estuary and the Médoc are spectacular.
(4) Turn left at the signpost and continue straight ahead, leaving the "dead end" sign on your right
(5) When you reach the signpost, turn right and then immediately left to reach Saint-Genès-de-Blaye, passing in front of the cemetery where you can take a short break on the benches.
(6) Before entering the village, turn right onto the D137 (caution: traffic). After the exit sign, climb up towards the calvary and take the tarmac road on the left. At the first bend, continue straight ahead on the gravel path and walk alongside the Château Perenne farm building. Continue walking through the vineyards until you reach an arrow holder installed under an oak tree.
(7) Turn left onto the tarmac road, which you follow to the left again, then right at the three-way junction towards Saint-Genès-de-Blaye. After the hamlet, turn right onto a dirt track at the foot of an electricity pole.
(8) Take the path on the left between the rows of vines. The views of the hillsides and vineyards are superb.
(9) When you reach the tarmac road, turn right and then take the first left. Continue straight ahead, climbing steadily up a hillside through the hamlets of La Valade and Pellegris, overlooking the estuary.
(10) At the exit of Pellegris, turn left uphill, at the corner of a beautiful fig tree that hides the marker. Continue to the next crossroads where you will turn right.
(11) At the corner of a house, turn left. Further on, cross the D135 (take care) by turning left and then immediately right, and walk along a vineyard.
(12) Turn right about 200 metres further on (marker). At the top of the slope, you will rejoin the path you took at the start of the walk.
(5) Return to Blaye the way you came. Imagine yourself as a pilgrim discovering the medieval city on the horizon, with its hospital for pilgrims and fortified castle, the remains of which can be admired within the citadel.
This will take you back to the car park opposite the fire station (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
