The last remains of the former Romanesque parish church can be found on Place Carnot in Sallebœuf. Archaeological excavations in the square also uncovered a necropolis dating from the 7th to 8th century, containing nine sarcophagi. Two distinct traces of history therefore come together at this site: the remains of a church building and a much older burial ground.
Castle ruins and milling history
Château Pey La Tour stands at one of the highest points in the commune. Excavations of the ruins still standing there uncovered 14th-century weapons and horse harness of English origin. The history of the château stretches back further: at the end of the 13th century, it belonged to Bertrand de Got, Archbishop of Bordeaux, who later became Pope under the name Clement V. The archaeological finds and the connection to Bertrand de Got point to different aspects of the town’s medieval history.
Another historical trace leads to the Moulin de Bon Ange. The mill had been known since the 16th century and was the principal milling operation of the lords of Romaningue and Larsan. In 1848, it was equipped with a vertical waterwheel that drove a pair of millstones. This specific technical detail adds to the story of the mill by explaining how it worked at the time: water power set the stones in motion to grind grain.
Church architecture with distinctive details
The Église Sainte-Marie was consecrated in 1866. Built in the Gothic Revival style, it has ribbed vaulting. Its north–south orientation is unusual. The church’s furnishings include four gilded bronze chandeliers adorned with crystal. Gustave Eiffel bought the chandeliers, and his son Édouard donated them to the commune on the occasion of his daughter’s wedding. The church’s design, orientation and chandeliers each provide a distinct architectural or historical point of interest. Ribbed vaulting is characterised by intersecting ribs that divide the vault surface.
A wine cellar with an Eiffel connection
Château Lafite Monteil is also connected to Gustave Eiffel: he personally drew up the plans for the wine cellar. The original cellar is still open to visitors and has retained its original architecture. Before travelling, check whether a visit is possible on your chosen date. The estate in Sallebœuf covers 80 hectares, of which 40 hectares are planted with vines; these figures may change over time.
Landscape and getting there
Sallebœuf is in the Entre-Deux-Mers region, between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Vineyards, woods and forests surround the commune.
For getting around, Sallebœuf has a carpool parking area and is served by several road links as well as TransGironde bus routes. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off; local transport connections may change.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Saint-Sulpice-De-Guilleragues, Néac, Landerrouat, Tabanac, Ambès, Landerrouet-sur-Ségur, Anglade, Saint-Quentin-De-Caplong.
Return to the main travel overview: Gironde.
