Discover Sauveterre-de-Guyenne

Sauveterre-de-Guyenne brings together the heritage of a bastide, regional wine culture and a route for gentle travel. Its themes range from the square and preserved architectural features to wine tastings and a route through Entre-deux-Mers, placing urban history alongside outdoor activity. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, these differences can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: the historic centre tells the story of the bastide’s founding, while the market, ecomuseum and Greenway offer further perspectives on the town and region.

The Bastide and Its Urban Layout

Edward I, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, founded the bastide in 1281. Its geometric urban layout has been preserved to this day. A square central plaza provides a distinctive landmark; arcades known as “couverts” line it. The Church of Notre-Dame of Sauveterre stands at the corner of the central plaza and two streets in the town’s orthogonal layout. The orthogonal layout describes a right-angled arrangement of streets; together with the square plaza, it makes the geometry of the bastide tangible. The Saubotte Gate retains its staircase and vaulted rooms. In this way, the overall layout and individual preserved structures represent two different scales of the bastide’s heritage.

Cultural History at Le Réfectoire

Le Réfectoire is located in the former dining hall of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne’s primary school. An archaeological collection there displays 14th-century kitchen pottery. The site also includes a participatory ecomuseum presenting local skills and the region’s viticultural heritage. The collection thus spans material evidence of everyday life, local skills and the region’s viticultural heritage.

The Roger Lapébie Greenway

The Roger Lapébie Greenway is reserved exclusively for cyclists, roller skaters, pedestrians and people with reduced mobility. The 54-kilometre Greenway starts in the centre of Bordeaux, passes through Entre-deux-Mers and safely connects Sauveterre-de-Guyenne and Bordeaux on foot, by bicycle or on roller skates. Near Sauveterre, it runs from a wet valley to vineyard slopes.

Wine Tastings and Summer Events

In summer, the Tuesday market offers visitors wine tastings by local winemakers beneath the arcades. Every summer, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne celebrates its winemakers and their expertise at the Fête des Vins. The market and festival are two seasonal ways to experience the town’s wine culture: the market features tastings beneath the arcades, while the Fête des Vins celebrates the winemakers and their expertise. If you plan your trip around either event, check the latest dates.

Activities for Different Time Frames

The activities vary in duration and target audience: the Tèrra Aventura treasure hunt “Lou qui a pas passat” starts at Place de la République and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes on foot; Les Pistes de Robin is a one-hour tourist rally for children aged 4 to 8 and their families.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Sève, Latresne, La Lande-de-Fronsac, La Réole, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Talais, Gauriac, Martignas-Sur-Jalle

For the overview of the wider region: Gironde.