Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye: Church, Art and Nature

Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye offers several reasons to visit: a Natura 2000 protected area, a church with Romanesque features, art stops, and opportunities for hiking and fishing. When planning your trip, it is important to check the specific arrangements: the church can only be visited by prior appointment, groups wishing to fish with the local club should arrange their visit in advance, and you should check trail conditions before setting out on a hike.

Natural areas and trails

Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye lies within the Natura 2000 protected area “Marais de Braud-et-Saint-Louis et de Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde,” a Special Area of Conservation with the designation FR7200684. This designation gives the town a direct connection to the protected area. A more local landscape feature is the hamlet of Champ des Cailles, which is set among woodland. Together, the designated conservation area and the woodland hamlet represent two different scales of the landscape.

Stage 1 of the FFRandonnée trail passes through Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye. It crosses the Canal des Moulins beside an 18th-century mill, then crosses the Livenne. This places the route through the town, the two named crossings and the area around the mill within the same hiking stage. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Fishing and outdoor activities

The Goujon Saint Aubinois offers fishing introductions and welcomes groups. Arrange your participation with the club before your visit. Its fishing waters include the Bief des Canal des Moulins and the Livenne, as well as the de la Grande Lande fishing pond and the pond at Terrier de la Blanche. This gives you a choice of waters along the canal and the Livenne, as well as two ponds—a useful guide if you have a particular fishing spot in mind.

The club also has a fishing platform suitable for people with disabilities. If you wish to use it, check the local access arrangements in advance. This lets you take the fishing spot into account when planning without assuming that travel and access conditions have been checked.

Church and art

The Église de Saint-Aubin de Blaye has retained its Romanesque character, with an old bell tower, a porch and three wood-panelled naves. Visits are free of charge and available by prior appointment only, so arrange a time before your visit. A bell in Saint-Aubin church was made in 1606 and has been listed as a protected object since 20 May 1988. The church therefore offers cultural points of interest in both its architectural features and a dated, protected object.

For several years, the Sentiers des Arts have been a seasonal autumn cultural and artistic gathering, featuring works in Saint-Aubin as well. At the Saint-Aubin-de-Blaye stop, Mélanie Béguier’s work is located behind the bakery. Another art attraction is the Saint-Aubin section of the Sentier Street Art. The medical centre serves as a landmark for finding Jean Rooble’s work; the City Stadium car park is a possible parking option. Check the parking information before travelling. The art locations have distinct settings: the Sentiers des Arts form an autumn gathering, while the street-art section leads to a specific work.

An annual event in May

The local ACCA describes hunting as a traditional activity in Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye. It also holds a Ball Trap once a year in May; the afternoon event is open to everyone from 2 pm. If you would like to include this event in your trip, confirm the date and public arrangements locally.

Discover more destinations: Le Temple, Loupiac, Hostens, Cadaujac, Plassac, Saint-Pey-D'armens, Barsac, Vayres

For the wider travel overview: Gironde.