Limagne and the former commandery of the Hospitallers in La Sauvetat

This circular route is offered by Balirando under the title "Les forts de La Sauvetat" (starting from Authezat Place de la Bascule), so it is marked in yellow in the opposite direction to the one described here in its entirety (in 2024) except for the visit to the fort.

In La Sauvetat, park in the spaces available on the edge of the stadium, on the north side of the village. If there is a match, alternative parking is indicated in the description and practical information.

Yellow markings in the opposite direction__

(S/E) Head west, with the stadium on your right, until you reach a street and follow it to the left. Turn right onto Allée de Chalaniat. At the crossroads, continue for about 20 metres to the left, then, at a pretty little stone cross, turn right onto the street called Chemin de la Garenne. Pass a carpool car park (alternative car park for this hike) and arrive at an intersection at a beautiful carved stone cross.

(1) Turn left onto Rue de la Garenne, passing an information board about La Sauvetat on your left. Turn right onto the first street, Rue du Chemin Haut. You will come to a crossroads. Cross the street and go down the hill opposite towards a lawn by the Charlet stream, with a beautiful large wash house. Note the renovated Roman bridge on the right (sign). Go back up the street, turn left and follow the street to the left (Voie romaine), immediately crossing the Roman bridge. At the crossroads with Chemin de Pontautier, turn left. You will reach a T-junction.

(2) Turn right onto the small straight street. Pass a beautiful house further on and, at the crossroads with the road, continue on the path opposite. Continue straight ahead at the four-way intersection, ignoring a path on the left and then one on the right.

(3) Turn left onto the next path before reaching the water catchment. At the fork in the path, keep left, then continue straight ahead at the next intersection. At the next four-way intersection, look for the^GR®®300markings.

Red and white^GR®® markings

(4) Turn left. Further on, ignore a path on the left when you reach the tarmac road in Authezat. Continue straight ahead. You will 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, continue straight ahead towards the church.

(5) Pass the entrance to the church (closed and in poor condition) and continue straight ahead on Rue de la Chareyrade. At the fork near the playground, turn left onto Chemin des Fauconniers. At the crossroads by the glass recycling bin, turn right onto the path and leave Authezat. At the fork in the path, keep left. You will arrive on Rue de la Sauvetat, by the benches and the information sign "Au pays de Margot et des Dauphins" (In the land of Margot and the Dolphins).

(6) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the path on the left. You will come to a road; follow it to the right for about 50 metres.

There are no signs for visiting the town centre and the Fort district.

At the T-junction, walk a few metres to the left then turn right, leaving the GR®® trail^. Turn left at the next intersection, Rue de l'Ormeau (fountain on the small square on the right), then right at the next intersection, at Maison Moïse (sculptures on the balcony of the adjoining house), and arrive at a small square with a beautiful octagonal fountain.

(7) Turn left, then right opposite the town hall. At the next intersection, note a fountain on the left and an oratory on the right. Turn right (Rue du Huit Mai), then right at the next intersection and you will find yourself at the octagonal fountain.

(7) Take the porch on the left under the house with blue shutters. You will immediately arrive at the foot of the Tour des Forts or Donjon, on the steps side. Go to the right and immediately take the porch on the left (information panel of the Amis de la Commanderie). Then turn left under the beautiful porch topped with 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 alley on the right. At the end, follow the bend to the right, then another. Ignore an alley on the left and you will find yourself at the foot of the tower, on the steps side.

Continue straight ahead in the alley, take the first alley on the right, then right again to find yourself at the foot of the tower, on the door side. Turn around, turn left then right at the intersection and you will find yourself on the small square near the church. Head left and exit the fort enclosure via the Entrée des Forts to arrive at Place du Chapitel. Find the GR®® markings^.

Red and white^GR®® markings

(8) Continue straight ahead on the street marked by the^GR®®. Continue straight ahead at the crossroads with Rue du Crouzadoux (fountain), then straight ahead again at the crossroads with Rue du Parc (fountain), passing under a beautiful dovecote. Further on, leave the^GR®® and take a path on the right.

Yellow markings in the opposite direction

About fifty metres further on, turn onto the path on the left and 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 hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

La Sauvetat is a fortified village built on fertile grain-growing plains. As its name suggests, the site was first used as a refuge for the local population, then by the Knights Templar of the Order of Jerusalem, who established their commandery there, leading to the village's rapid growth.

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

Along the route: crosses, fountains, beautiful traditional houses, lots of walnut trees.