The Domaine du Sauvage - A thousand-year history in the heart of Margeride

On the edge of the vast Margeride plateaus, between deep forests and high-altitude meadows stands a place of raw beauty and unique history - the Domaine du Sauvage. Nestled at the gateway to the Haut-Allier Gorges, this former hospice, founded in the 12th century by local lords and linked to the Knights Templar and then the Knights Hospitaller, has survived the centuries without ever losing its soul. Both a testament to human ingenuity and a natural sanctuary, the estate embodies a rare combination of historical memory, ecological preservation, and local dynamism.

Templar heritage turned pilgrim refuge

The Domaine du Sauvage, a former Templar commandery located at an altitude of 1,214–1,433 m in Margeride, in the heart of the Massif Central, has its roots in the Middle Ages, evoking nearly 800 years of history. In 1198, a small hospice was founded by Hélie de Chanaleilles and Hugues de Thoras, before being linked to the Hôtel Dieu du Puy-en-Velay in 1217.

When the Knights Templar were disbanded in 1314, their possessions were confiscated. The Domaine du Sauvage, like other Templar properties, was then assigned to the Hôtel-Dieu du Puy. The estate's income now benefited the Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, while religious services were entrusted to the priests of the parish of Saint-Médard de Saugues.

In the 15th century, the property became an important pastoral farm, home to up to 260 head of cattle.

In 1816, it was sold to the Saint-Léger family, who managed it before passing it on to their descendants, the Chirac family. They managed it for over 150 years. In 1816, it was sold to the Saint-Léger family, who managed it before passing it on to their descendants, the Chirac family. They managed it for over 150 years, until the late 1970s, gradually modernizing the farm and creating the largest single property in Margeride. The family introduced innovative agricultural techniques and equipment that were ahead of their time, such as electricity production, wagons for removing manure, and the creation of a buron (mountain hut) for cheese making.

Finally, in 1971, the Haute-Loire Department acquired the site, launching eco-responsible management of the meadows, lands and forests. At the same time, a collective of around 31 to 40 local farmers revitalized the site by creating guesthouses, an inn, and farm production.

A wild and unspoiled natural setting

Located at the southwestern tip of the Haute Loire, on the border with Lozère, the estate covers a vast plateau of 750 hectares. It is currently the largest Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) in the department, reflecting the richness and diversity of its environments. Its granite soil reveals a mosaic of environments: heathland, wet meadows, high-altitude peat bogs, beech forests, Scots pines, and spruce trees.

Classified as a Natura 2000 site, the estate benefits from exemplary environmental management, combining extensive livestock farming, environmental preservation, and public access. The climate is typical of the Margeride region: harsh and changeable, with long snowy winters, strong winds and a striking, almost Nordic atmosphere.

The name “Sauvage” comes from the Latin silvaticum, meaning “wooded place,” a faithful evocation of the site's natural character. Nearby, the Sainte Eulalie European bison reserve extends this immersion in unspoiled, preserved nature.

An iconic stop on the Way of St. James

The Domaine du Sauvage is a major stopover on the GR 65 – Via Podiensis long-distance hiking trail between Le Puy en Velay and Aumont Aubrac. In 2023, nearly 30,000 hikers passed through, with 7,968 overnight stays and 16,525 meals served. Pilgrims will find two lodges (41 beds) and an inn offering homemade meals made with local products sourced from short supply chains. This isolated, spiritual site is one of the most memorable stops along the route, offering a refreshing and authentic break.

The film "Saint-Jacques... La Mecque" (2005), directed by Coline Serreau, was partly shot in iconic natural landscapes, illustrating the relationship with the wilderness that the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela traverses. Far from urban areas, the route immerses the characters in a natural environment that is beautiful, harsh, and authentic, becoming a character in its own right in the story.

An anchor point for the Grande Traversée du Massif Central

The Domaine du Sauvage is also a sports stop and a strategic halt on the Great Crossing of the Massif Central (GTMC), traveled by mountain bike or gravel bike. It lies at the crossroads of several emblematic sections: between Ruynes-en-Margeride and the Baraque des Bouviers, or between Langeac and the vast Margeride plateaus. Through granite outcrops, deep forests, and high moorlands, the routes offer breathtaking views of the Cantal and Aubrac mountains. The gravel version avoids technical sections while keeping the authenticity of the mountain bike route. Once at the Domaine, cyclists can enjoy a guesthouse, local food supplies, and immersion in an exceptional site before continuing their journey through the Gévaudan or toward the Aubrac.

A restoration project supported by the Heritage Foundation

Since 2025, the Heritage Foundation has been involved in a major renovation project at the Domaine du Sauvage, aimed in particular at restoring the north barn, whose roof is to be replaced with traditional slate roofing. This project respects the protected species present on the site (birds, bats, amphibians) and preserves the architectural identity of the place. The department's ambition is to make the Domaine a model for passing on built, natural, and intangible heritage to future generations.

Practical information

Adress: Le Sauvage, 43170 Chanaleilles

Phone: (+33) 4 71 74 40 30

Mail: domainedusauvage@orange.fr

Official website