Limagne and the former commandery of the Hospitallers in La Sauvetat

This circular route is offered by Balirando under the title“The Forts of La Sauvetat” (starting from Place de la Bascule in Authezat); it is therefore signposted in yellow in the opposite direction to that described here along its entire length (in 2024), except for the visit to the fort.

At La Sauvetat, park in the spaces available next to the stadium, on the north side of the village. If there is a match, alternative parking is indicated in the description and Practical Information sections.

Yellow markings in the opposite direction__

(S/E) Set off westwards, with the stadium on your right, until you reach a road; follow it to the left. Turn right onto Allée de Chalaniat. At the junction, walk about twenty metres to the left, then, at a pretty little stone cross, turn right onto the road called Chemin de la Garenne. Pass a car-sharing car park (an alternative car park for this walk), and arrive at a junction by a beautiful carved stone cross.

(1) Turn left onto Rue de la Garenne, passing an information sign about La Sauvetat on your left. Turn right onto the first street, Rue du Chemin Haut. You’ll reach a crossroads. Cross the street and head down opposite towards a lawn beside the stream, the Charlet, with a beautiful, large washhouse. Note the restored Roman bridge on the right (sign). Head back up the street, turn left and follow the road to the left (Voie romaine), crossing the Roman bridge straight away. At the junction with Chemin de Pontautier, turn left. You’ll come to a T-junction.

(2) Turn right onto the short, straight street. A little further on, you’ll pass a beautiful house; at the junction with the road, continue along the path opposite. Carry on straight ahead at the four-way junction, ignoring one path on the left and then one on the right.

(3) Turn onto the next path on the left, before reaching the water intake. At the Fork in the road, keep left, then continue straight on at the next junction. At the next four-way junction, look out for the^GR®®300signposting.

^GR®® red and white markings

(4) Turn left. Further on, ignore a path on the left as you reach the tarmac road in Authezat. Carry on straight ahead. You’ll come to a crossroads with a stone cross in the middle. Follow the road opposite, to the right of the cross. At the next crossroads, carry on straight ahead towards the church.

(5) Walk past the entrance to the church (which is closed and appears to be in a state of disrepair) and continue straight on along Rue de la Chareyrade. At the Fork in the road by the playground, take the left-hand path, the Chemin des Fauconniers. At the junction by the glass recycling bin, turn right onto the path and leave Authezat. At the Fork in the road, keep to the left. You’ll come to Rue de la Sauvetat, near some benches and the information sign “Au pays de Margot et des Dauphins”.

(6) Carry straight on, ignoring the path on the left. You’ll reach a road; follow it to the right for about fifty metres.

No signposting for the tour of the town centre and the Quartier du Fort

At the T-junction, walk a few metres to the left then turn right, leaving the GR®® signposting^. Turn left at the next junction, onto Rue de l’Ormeau (there’s a fountain in the small square on the right), then right at the following junction, by Maison Moïse (sculptures on the balcony of the terraced house), and you’ll arrive at a small square with a beautiful octagonal fountain.

(7) Turn left, then right opposite the town hall. At the next junction, note a fountain on the left and a wayside shrine on the right. Turn right (Rue du Huit Mai), then right at the next junction to find yourself back at the octagonal fountain.

(7) Turn left through the archway beneath the house with the blue shutters. You’ll immediately arrive at the foot of the Tour des Forts or Donjon, on the side with the steps. Head to the right and immediately turn left through the archway (information panel for the Amis de la Commanderie). Then turn left under the beautiful archway topped by a chimney – the Porte Saint-Jean – and go straight on to the church. Leave the church on your right, cross a small square and immediately take an alleyway on the right. At the end, follow the bend to the right, then another. Ignore an alleyway on the left and you’ll find yourself at the foot of the tower, on the side with the steps.

Continue straight ahead along the alleyway, take the first alleyway on the right, then turn right again to find yourself at the foot of the tower, on the gate side. Turn round, turn left then right at the junction and you’ll find yourself in the small square near the church. Head left and exit the fortifications via the Entrée des Forts to reach Place du Chapitel. Follow the GR®® signposts^.

^GR®® red and white markings

(8) Carry on straight ahead along the street signposted by the^GR®®. Continue straight on at the junction with Rue du Crouzadoux (fountain), then straight on again at the junction with Rue du Parc (fountain), passing beneath a beautiful dovecote. Further on, leave the^GR®® trail behind as it branches off to the right.

Yellow markings in the opposite direction

About fifty metres further on, turn onto the path on the left and you’ll return to the car park (S/E).

Easy hike, standard hiking equipment required.

Alternative parking in case of a match or other festivities at the stadium: carpooling area just before (1).

As mentioned at the beginning of the description, if you prefer to follow the markings, do this hike in the opposite direction. However, the visit to the village centre and the forts of La Sauvetat is not included in the marked route. You can still follow my instructions for visiting the fortified walls, or do it at your own pace.

See also in this area (route only and photos)
Three villages in Limagne

Discover more walks in this area to follow with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

La Sauvetat is a fortified village built in the fertile grain-growing plain. As its name suggests, the site first served as a refuge for the local population and later for the Knights Templar of the Order of Jerusalem, who established their commandery there, leading to the village’s growth.

Information on the commandery here, on the history of the village in general here

Along the route: crosses, fountains, beautiful traditional houses, and many walnut trees.