The name "Les Lèves" derives from the word "Levées" which referred to the quarrying of stone used for many chateaus, churches and the fortified banks of the Dordogne. In medieval times (13^th century), a chateau, La Bauze, was constructed along the banks of the Gravouze, a small stream that runs through the village and is a trout fisherman's heaven.  The chateau presided over three parishes; Les Lèves, Thoumeyragues and Saint André d’Appelles.

Thoumeyragues and the Chateau Les Vergnes used to be the main centre of attention in medieval times and Les Lèves was nothing more than just a small Roman church on St James' pilgrimage route to Compostela. The church has recently been restored and is back on the map of the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela. The church of Thoumeyragues was partially demolished by religious clans from Saint Emilion during the Catholic-Protestant war. The small town of Les Lèves has revived its roots as a pilgrimage  route, not just for those wishing to travel in the footsteps of St James but also for those who are interested in some of the greatest fermented grape juices ever bottled. Univitis owns Château Les Vergnes, which is one of the largest wine-producing estates in the appellation with 120 hectares in a single block.

The Unified Viticulteurs of Ste Foy Bordeaux bought the estate in 1986 from the family of Maréchal Leclerc de Hautecloque. At that time only 25 % of the property was planted with vines. Today the vineyard stretches over 100 hectares, 72 of which are planted with red grape varieties and 28 with white. The main road that runs though Les Lèves which now joins Saint Foy la Grande with Duras was only completed in 2003 as part of the Airbus Project which required main transportation lines to run from Toulouse to Bordeaux.

The Village of Les Lèves is only a small one but it is not surprising that the huge cooperative of Univitis has placed it on the map as a well known place. The cooperative owns most of the vineyards around the village and in size it makes up almost half the town.

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