Saint Christoly De Blaye: Church, Châteaux and Lakes

Saint-Christoly Church, the Châteaux Jussas and Bavolier, and the Lacs du Moulin Blanc offer different points of interest. The Sunday morning market in the village square is another attraction. Depending on whether you are especially interested in architectural history, activities on the lakes or visiting the market, these features may influence your choice of destination.

The architectural history of the church and châteaux

Saint-Christoly Church is listed as a historic monument. The present-day church appears to have developed from a small 12th-century church. A wide side aisle was added along its south side in the 15th century. Its possible early origins and the later addition provide two distinct points of reference for its architectural history. A side aisle is a longitudinal area beside the main nave of a church.

Château Jussas dates from the 14th century and is an elongated manor house with a tower at each corner; two towers remain on the south façade. Château Bavolier was built in the 15th century. Chronologically, Jussas therefore predates Bavolier, while the 15th century also corresponds to the church addition. This provides a timeline stretching from the church’s possible origins in the 12th century, through Jussas in the 14th century, to the church addition and Château Bavolier in the 15th century.

The Lacs du Moulin Blanc

The Lacs du Moulin Blanc site covers almost 40 hectares and is partly designated as a Natura 2000 site. The lakes serve different purposes: the southern lake is devoted entirely to fishing, while the northern lake is designated for swimming and water sports. If fishing is your main interest, check the current requirements before you travel. Before swimming, check the latest information on water quality and safety. Temporary access restrictions may also apply, so check access to the site before your visit.

Loop trail and fitness trail

A walking and mountain biking trail forms a loop around both lakes. The fitness trail at the Lacs du Moulin Blanc is 1.8 kilometres long and has eight exercise stations. The features provide different points of reference when choosing an activity: for the loop trail, consider its route and intended users; for the fitness trail, its length and number of stations. This can help you decide whether the route around both lakes or the exercise stations are more important to your plans.

Sunday morning market

The Marché de Saint-Christoly de Blaye takes place on Sunday mornings in the village square. Vendors include fruit and vegetable sellers, a butcher, a cheese seller, a poultry seller and a fishmonger. If you would like to include a market visit in your travel plans, check the date shortly before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Montussan, Cérons, Cenon, Mérignac, Auriolles, Mourens, Escoussans, Villenave-Dʼornon.

For the broader travel overview: Gironde.