IN "PREAMBLE":
Sauve, "ancient and mysterious village" this was how it was described by Jean Germain an enthusiastic inhabitant of Sauve and writer of the 20th century. Ancient because its origins date back many centuries, mysterious because it’s both a vertical village perching on the side of the hill named the Coutach, the other side overhanging the river Vidourle. Here nature and history seem to join in perfect harmony to the great joy of this outstanding author.
A village full of history as we bear witness to its eleventh century bridge, the remains of its ramparts, abbey, convent, fortified gates, forts, high towers and mint.
It is also a remarkable natural geographical site, a large area of curious and mysteriously shaped limestone rocks formed and shaped by water erosion. It's river, the Vidourle, sometimes flowing underground and then re-emerging - possesses the attributes and faults in common with an extraordinary personality. "The least observant of travellers who crosses the territory of this small city cannot help but get the impression of its strangeness and mystery." Andre Chamson, writer, member of the French Academy.
"Passing through Sauve you'll be captivated by the mystery of a village built on the chasms of the Vidourle, situated in the middle of an impressive rock formation as if surrounded by spirits." Roger Katan, architect.
DISTINCTIVE PLACES & BUILDINGS
The Heraldic Arms of Sauve.
"From silver to a mountain of sand. From the top grows a sage plant, "sinople", with three branches; the crenulated wall with two towers is bound by gold to the mountain whose name is Sal Sal."
The Old Bridge, The Pont Vieux.
Constructed in the 11th century, it is considered one of the oldest bridges in France. It appears to have been built on the ruins of an ancient Roman bridge and has been, over the centuries, the only crossing point for travellers arriving from Nimes. Today tourists and artists admire and take inspiration from the beautiful and charming views it affords of Sauve.
The Ramparts.
It was under the reign of the Bernard family during the Middle Ages that the economy of Sauve developed strongly. At that time its population was about 10,000 persons. This position enabled the town to exert its power and authority over the surrounding provinces. We can still see the ancient ramparts now forming part of the medieval houses perched along the banks of the Vidourle from the old bridge to its re emergence.
The gateways.
The gateways had two main functions, that of communication and protection assured by the fortifications. The number of gateways demonstrated the importance of the town, its position and relationship to the surrounding area. For example the fortifications of Phillip August at Paris boasted 19 gateways! In Sauve during the 18th Century 8 gateways had been traced.
The Synagogue
During the 11th. and 12th. centuries Sauve sheltered a Jewish community exiled from Spain. Sauve saw then a certain wealth because the town attracted cloth merchants who loaned money with interest. This practice was banned by the Christian church. Situated right in the heart of the medieval village the synagogue of Sauve is considered the oldest in France! During the 14th century the Jewish population was expelled by Philippe le Bell. Subsequently the synagogue was partially destroyed and abandoned. Only the exterior walls, courtyard and spiral stairway still exist.
Abbey Tower (the Tour de Mole).
One of the Bernard dynasty towers of the region built by the same architect and stonemasons using identical boscage equipment. Originally called the Tower of the Abbey because it was part of the abbey fortifications, the construction dates from the end of the 12th century. It has served as a watchtower, a refuge during periods of siege and a water source (the Vidourle flows underneath). The name Mole derives from a rich Sauvain butcher named Mole who owned it some time later.
The Abbey
The monastery was founded in 1029 by the widow of Bernard, Lord of Anduze, and his son Pierre Bernard. It was consecrated to St.Peter and was placed under the authority of the abbey of St. Guilham
le Desert. The Abbey extended across the site of the present town hall and church to the squares of Jean |Astruc and Sivel. The precincts of the Abbey were probably contained within protected walls, the Abbey tower being the principle remains. This Abbey flourished and we note that in 1250 there were 48 Benedictine monks. In 1267 the Pope Claremont IV raised the status of this monastery to that of an independent Abbey under one authority. It was in this way that the head abbot took the authority and right to carry the mitre. The old abbey became inadequate and a larger building was added to it.
The Mint
Up to the 11th. century the House of Anduze and Sauve minted money. It was during a time of their great importance and splendour that the Bernards, overlords of Sauve, had this privilege. The seat of the court of barons was also in this building. Now it has become the municipal library.
Convent of the Capucines or Russian Chateau
Here sheltered up to the 17th century the Capucins, sent by LouisXIV .the "Sun King" who judged the Benedictine monks beforehand too indulgent towards the Protestants.
Chateaux de Roquevaire
Within the Mer de Rocher we find this chateau on a path which arrives from Montpellier. We don't exactly know the function of this building which goes back many centuries. It may have been the summer residence of the Bishop of Maguelone from the 12th-13th. centuries. The building was the property of the Abbot Henry Delmas from the abbey of Sauve from the second half of the 17th century. There are still in existence several adjoining buildings, stables and a rose garden. Pleasure in the cultivation of gardens is illustrated here by the presence of an orange grove with a system of irrigation and also many cultivated terraces. All this would have been of great value to the residents. The present owners of the chateaux, despite the difficulty of access, have restored a substantial part of the building which is open to the public for guided visits during national heritage days.
The Castle
The castle is a symbolic building of Sauve overlooking the village and perched of the calcium plateau of the Mer de Rochers. In 1704 the steward of Languedoc-Roussillon ordered the enclosure of the castle within the walls of Sauve and the construction of a century box. The castle was undoubtedly a privileged position from which to survey a large area.
The Barracks
The barracks were constructed during the 18th. century by the architect Vauban, the military architect of Louis XIV. He sent 10,000 soldiers and 2 marshals to suppress the revolt of the Camisards. Since the 17th. century the army has been reorganised and the billeting of troops with civilians had been more or less abandoned, leading to the construction of the barracks.
Since 1815 the Barracks have served as the centre for the manufacture of the three pronged pitch fork made from the micocoulier tree.
The Prehistoric town
A few kilometres from Sauve on the D117 exists a Roman fortified city classified as an historic monument. Nothing is known of this city, neither of its origins or successive inhabitants or why the city ceased to be inhabited, for nothing of its history has ever been recorded or documented. The earliest mention, from the 14th. century. Stating only its position. There are ruins scattered everywhere mostly below ground. Many remains have been found during excavations, objects of bronze and iron and also glass vases demonstrating that this site was inhabited from early times and seems to have been abandoned with the fall of Rome.
The most significant remains are without doubt those of the canal/aqueduct a remarkable feat of engineering - its width of about 50 cm and running for about 8 kms. This outstanding construction once supplied drinking water to the highest sector of the fortified town. In its time a veritable miniature Pont du Gard.
Sea of Rocks, (Mer de Rochers)
On the plateau behind Sauve stands with grandeur a limestone formation called the "Mer de Rochers". It’s a remarkable natural site which has been sculpted over eons of time by wind and rain into a geological phenomena resembling a lunar landscape - extraordinary shaped rocks soar above the surrounding vegetation. Science can explain how the site was formed by the effect of nitric acid on the rocks of chalk carbonate and magnesium which decalcify gradually, the magnesium being the most resistant to erosion and forming striking shapes. The "dolines" are filled with clay soil rich in humus, which is used for cultivation.
This site was cultivated up to the 20th. century then abandoned. Several different types of orchards were planted - cherry, mulberry, olive, peach, bay and vines. Also the micocoulier on which the economy of Sauve was based. The villagers worked these strips of land which provided excellent growing conditions. Heat that built up in the rocks during the day was released during the night. The rocks also served as a shelter against the wind.
The Vidourle
This river flows into the Mediterranean at the Grau de Roi. Its source is the northern side of the Fage mountain at an altitude of 449 meters. Its entire length is 85km. with a section flowing underground between St. Hippolyte and Sauve under the bed of the Rieu Massel. It reappears at the swallow holes at La Soeur and then the swallow hole at Sauve. This resurgence is visible at the foot of the town hall (Marie). Two mills were close by, one to process oil and the other wheat. There is also a well in the Tour de Mole which serves as a water reserve. The well is in fact a swallow hole where the Vidourle flows underground. This has been explored and a lake of 29 meters width, together with a rare species of blind shrimp, discovered.
The Vidourle is notorious for its "Vidourlades", a term adopted to describe the river in full spate when it becomes overwhelmingly powerful and can cause devastation. Every exceptional vidourlade leaves a memorable date for the inhabitants along its banks. The most ancient recorded floods are those of 1403,1575,1684,1704,1719,1723 and 1808
with 10 further significant floods since then, notably 2002.
THE PITCH FORK OF SAUVE AND ITS MUSEUM
"My bothers, the Holy Trinity may be compared to a pitch fork, a beautiful pitch fork such as they make in Sauve." F. Mistral.
"What is absolutely extraordinary is that right in the middle of the 20th. century the village of Sauve has managed to conserve a culture and industry which is exclusively its own, making something as simple and primitive as they did a thousand years ago." J.Germain.
Sauve has justifiably taken on the title of being the capital of the pitch fork. The micoculier tree from Provence belongs to the elm family. In Sauve it is also called the pitch fork tree. It is from its wood that the celebrated fork is made. The manufacture can be traced back to the 12th. century however its origins are uncertain. The tree, when in leaf, is majestic with a smooth straight trunk and can reach 30 meters in height. Like the olive tree it can regenerate itself from its stump . It’s the perennial nature of the stump which allows the continuous production of the fork from the same tree. The presence of a cleft in the leaves of the three buds which are locally called Fleur de Lys, is the growing point of the three branches - the future prongs of the pitch fork. The skill of the Sauvain is to know how to shape their growth and development and obtain branches of the same diameter, something seldom occurring in nature. The quality of the wood, both flexible when green, light and strong when dried, are the recognised and essential characteristics of the micoculier, producing a pitchfork light and easy to handle.
Their manufacture involves three processes.
The first step is the most delicate and demanding - to prune and shape the young tree. The work of an expert pruner is to shape the branch into the basic form of a pitch fork, then to gauge the best moment to cut the it.
The second stage requires dexterity and skill - that is to peel, shape into a curve and to pull together the prongs with the aid of a specialised tool. The pitch fork is then made more pliable by drying in a kiln.
The firing is the last stage. Prepared in groups of 100, the forks are moulded and dried a second time in the kiln at 120 degrees centigrade for 15- 20 minutes. The kiln is hermetically sealed to prevent the forks from burning. They are dried and darkened by the smoke and only the portion protected by the collar stays white giving the characteristic elegant touch to this product of Sauve.
The Sauve pitchfork was originally and exclusively an agricultural tool. The onset of mechanisation has changed its usage. Nowadays it is used at stud farms and horseracing clubs and in the production of linen lavender. Its production now is far below that of the 17th. and 18th. centuries when between 70 to 80,000 were produced yearly.
In connection with the production of the fork we can recall some historical facts. In 1688 one of the first agricultural co-operatives was founded in Sauve followed in 1742 by a mutual insurance. This guaranteed its members harvest, safeguarding them from the monopoly which had been held by producers who took 18% of the excess forks and and destroyed them to maintain higher prices.
In 1993 that the pitch fork co-operative decided to stop production. It was then that the association Le Fanabergue was created to save the unique knowledge, savoir faire, on the same site - the Barracks of Sauve. Now we can find today the Conservatoire of the pitch fork - a small museum which purpose is to preserve the historical heritage and illustrate the techniques and the history of its production. Even today you have the opportunity to support this cottage industry and buy a fork made, as always, in the traditional manner within this historical setting.
More : +33 (0) 4 66 80 54 46
www.lafourchedesauve.com
FAMOUS INHABITANTS OF SAUVE
Jean Astruc - Born in Sauve March 19th. 1684. He gained his medical qualifications at the University of Montpellier in 1703 and became one of the outstanding doctors of the 18th. century renowned throughout the World. The author of several works, he was at one time the doctor of the Polish King, then a medical consultant to Louis XV. He lectured at the College of France and his teachings were taken up by all European universities. He died in Paris on May 5th.1766 whilst writing his last work.
Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian - Born in Sauve March 6th.1755, he spent some of his childhood close to Voltaire who made Florian his protégé. After the publication of "The Fountain" he became a well known author. The plays he wrote for the theatre, although not now well known, were much enjoyed in his day. In 1788 at the age of 33 he was elected to the French Academy. His works covered nearly all the genres of writing. His most celebrated work was his novel, "Estelle". Also a lyric writer he wrote "The Pleasure of Love". Imprisoned during the Revolution, he was released after the "reign of terror" in 1794, his spirit broken and haunted by what he had seen. He died of a fever on September 13th. that year. Florians life was short but his literary output was over 20 volumes.
