SAUVETERRE DE ROUERGUE
The Bastide

To mark the Pentecost of 1280, Philippe Le Hardi, then king of France (1270-1285) decided to build the Bastide de Sauveterre on a plateau that would be easy to defend thanks to the streams on either side (Lézert and Mergou). Typical of urbanisation policy during this era, such bastides from the 13th and 14th centuries allowed the king to affirm his strength and weaken eccliastical and feudal powers. They also created new housing for an expanding population.