Abstract: Once the rotor of a rotary-wing aircraft is held stationary in an indicated position, the method comprises steps consisting in placing the collective pitch control stick in a first predefined position corresponding to a first inclination of the blades about their longitudinal axes, in placing the cyclic pitch control stick in a second predefined position corresponding to a nose-up position of the rotary-wing aircraft, in modifying the length of the control system to cause the inclination of the blades about their longitudinal axes to go to a second value that is different from said first inclination value, in holding a rotary swashplate stationary by placing at least three locking connection rods between the rotary swashplate and a member integral in terms of rotation with a rotor mast, and in folding the blades by rotating each of them about a corresponding coupling pin for coupling it to a coupling member for coupling the blade to a rotor hub.