Labastide-Savès

Labastide-Savès combines traces of its history with a distinctive range of activities. Its local history includes Gallo-Roman origins, a former bastide dating from 1271 and a surviving feudal motte. Sainte Madeleine is an architectural highlight, with its bell tower, spire and stained-glass windows; Attelage & Aventure offers rides in a dog team pulling a kart.

Local history between bastide and motte

Labastide-Savès has Gallo-Roman origins and is a former bastide dating from 1271. An old feudal motte has also survived; it is considered to be the foundation of the first wooden castles belonging to Gascon lords. These two details offer different historical perspectives: 1271 marks the bastide, while the motte is associated with the early wooden castles of Gascon lords. This brings together a dated local history and a surviving example of feudal architecture.

Sainte Madeleine and its architectural details

At Sainte Madeleine, features of church architecture meet traces of a former castle complex. The bell tower is octagonal, and its spire is covered in slate. Access ramps to a vanished feudal castle survive beside the church. The ramps belong to the former castle, not to the church building. Inside the church are stained-glass windows from the 19th century, created by a glass artist from Condom. Three kinds of details can therefore be distinguished at the same site: the tower’s shape, the access ramps and the historic glazing.

Wayside crosses on the right bank of the Save

Labastide-Savès stretches along the right bank of the Save. Crosses made of wood, stone or wrought iron can be found along the paths in the commune. The materials make the crosses easy to distinguish from one another and offer a point of interest alongside the church architecture. Those interested in small religious monuments can therefore take in not only Sainte Madeleine, but also the wayside crosses as part of the local cultural landscape.

Rides with Attelage & Aventure

Attelage & Aventure offers rides in a dog-sled team pulling a kart in Labastide-Savès year-round. The rides pass over slopes and through fields, and the team consists of twelve dogs. The provider also offers kennel visits: guests can feed the dogs and spend time with them. The ride and the kennel visit offer different experiences—travelling with the team or meeting the dogs on site. Before your trip, check current ride availability and whether visitors can access the kennel.

Getting to the church

Sainte Madeleine church is less than a ten-minute walk from the LABASTIDE-SAVÈS – Labastide Saves stop. The stop is served by the Boulogne-sur-Gesse–Samatan–Toulouse routes. This stop is a useful reference point when planning your journey to the church. Check the current transport network before travelling, as transport information can change.

When choosing a hotel for Labastide-Savès, you can start with the purpose of your stay: for local history, the motte and Sainte Madeleine are the main attractions; a dog-sledding ride is a separate reason to visit.

Discover more destinations: Cadeilhan, Pouy-Roquelaure, Lias-D'armagnac, Cravencères, Castelnau-D'arbieu, Castillon-Massas, Mauvezin, Pauilhac

See the broader travel guide: Gers.