La Sauvetat-sur-Lède is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 8 km northeast of Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
Its territory of 14 km² belongs to the former province of Guyenne. It is bordered by the course of the Lède, a tributary of the Lot on the right bank, which constitutes its limit to the south-east.
The locality presents rural and green landscapes, being mainly covered with agricultural land (79% of its area!) and forests and meadows (15%).
Near Villeneuve-sur-Lot, on the borders of Agenais and between Périgord and Quercy, it highlights its built heritage and its preserved environment. Between gourmet riches (foie gras producers are located in the town) and hiking, lovers of green tourism will not fail to appreciate a stay or a stopover in La Sauvetat-sur-Lède which has some 650 inhabitants.
In terms of heritage, the castle of Saint-Sulpice is the most remarkable site in the town. It is also protected as a historical monument. The building, seat of a small seigniory, was built on a spur dominating the course of the Lède, in the south-west of the territory. Its oldest part was completed in 1621, as evidenced by a date engraved on the portal. It is then made up of a main building oriented north-south with a defense tower at its end. At the beginning of the 19th century, an enlargement took place. The master of the place is then Jean-François Laborie (1760-1843), who was mayor of Villeneuve-sur-Lot under the First Empire. He erected a second main building perpendicular to the first, on the south side, which gave the new complex an inverted "T" shape. In neo-classical style, this new dwelling has a forepart with a pediment. On the ground floor, a stucco decoration above a door evokes life in the countryside with its work and its leisure activities and in the music room, another stucco decoration is dedicated to the empire with an eagle and a mask representing Napoleon I.
Nowadays, surrounded by a park and outbuildings, the perfectly maintained castle houses guest rooms. If you don't stay there, the estate can be observed from the outside during a walk. Information on +33 5 53 01 46 44 or +33 6 84 79 03 89.
In the village, see next, the Saint-Michel church. Of Romanesque base, we notice its well-crafted porch bell tower whose two advanced pillars are higher to compensate for the slight slope of the ground in front of the entrance to the building. The nave is supported by buttresses. Inside, the church retains four 19th century statuettes classified as objects depicting Saint Peter, Saint Jacques, Saint Paul and the "teaching Christ".
We also observe, in the village and its surroundings, beautiful traditional houses and farms, and some elements of small heritage which add to the cachet of La Sauvetat-sur-Lède…
Something to enhance walks or hikes on the municipal territory, in a bucolic setting, along the banks of the Lède or along agricultural plots or wooded areas. Larger loops accessible to both walkers and mountain bikers are also possible, to reach Villeneuve-sur-Lot, its bastide and therefore also the banks of the Lot, or even Pujols, a member of the selective association of the Most beautiful villages of France. Maps and information on +33 5 53 36 17 30.
Along the way, a gourmet break is welcome at a farm specializing in duck breeding and the production of foie gras and other specialities. This is the case of the "Duck King", to the west of the village. Information on +33 5 53 41 93 95.
Finally, note that shows and association events are regularly scheduled at the village hall. Contact in town hall on +33 5 53 41 91 88.
