Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Medieval bastide in Gironde, France
Sauveterre-de-Guyenne is a medieval bastide with four stone tower gates positioned at cardinal points surrounding a central market square. The square features stone buildings with ground-level arcades that house a mix of shops and services.
The town was founded in 1281 by King Edward I of England and changed hands between English and French control several times before becoming permanently French in 1451. This contested past shaped its design and buildings.
The central market square keeps its medieval character with stone buildings and ground-level arcades that now house shops and local businesses. These covered walkways are living spaces where visitors can shelter from rain and observe the everyday rhythm of town life.
The best way to explore the town is on foot through the grid-pattern streets surrounding the central market square. The four tower gates serve as reliable landmarks and help orient visitors around the historic core.
The original street pattern follows a precise checkerboard layout from the 13th century that shows the mathematical precision of medieval urban design. This pattern remains visible today and makes it easy to navigate the right-angled streets.
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