The dovecote dates back to the early 19th century and belonged to the wealthiest person in the village, Guillaume Montespan, who was mayor from 1839 to 1848 and also the well-to-do owner of a brick and tile factory. Evident from the architecture is his desire to make a show of power on the commune land. Its shape brings to mind the towers of the manors built by Ancien Régime noblemen, a symbol of might and power. After the Revolution, such constructions were no longer the exclusive privilege of the nobility and became more and more numerous; dovecotes also played a significant concrete part, as their owners’ aim was to bring together the pigeon populations by playing on their herd instincts. The droppings, called “colombine” (dove stuff) were collected and put to use as a natural fertilizer, thus ensuring plentiful crops.
This particular dovecote sports a very common roof shape, called “en pied de mulet,” i.e. in the shape of a mule’s foot: it is characterized by a double tier, with the entry holes placed in between.