There are many rural structures in France.
One that is easily recognizable is the the "pigeonnier" or dove cote.
Their original purpose was to house pigeons for breeding and/or raising them as a food source for their owners, and I have also heard that the pigeon droppings were in demand as a fertilizer.
When first built, they were constructed on legs made of stone or wood (similar to stilts) so the building would sit above the ground to provide some protection from moisture that could deteriorate the wood structure and more importantly to keep out unwanted visitors such as foxes, rats and other vermin from preying on the pigeons and stealing the pigeon's eggs.
It has small openings like windows or doors for the pigeons to enter and exit their home.
Peek a boo, I see you! Do you see the pigeon?
Some are stand alone towers, but others are adjacent to and/or form part of the main house.
I also think the farmers raised pigeons as a hobby for racing ... atleast, I am aware this was the case with people from my father's home country of Belgium.
Even some of the immigrants to Canada had pigeon coops built in their backyards, but they were not elaborate structures like these.
Many of these buildings have now been abandoned but some have been reinvented or repurposed and given a second chance.
Once a home for pigeons, many pigeonniers have been lovingly restored and made into "homes for people" or gîtes (rental cottages), and I even know of one that is now a restaurant.
The Creperie Restaurant in Puy l'évêque, France.
A pigeonnier in Dégagnac converted to a gîte.
I have not seen the interior, but the setting and location is great for visiting the Lot and Dordogne regions.... You can find more info on this web site:
Www.topictravel.nl (ref.FLQ.149)
Here are examples of the holes (doors that the pigeons would use to come in and out).
Even new builds are adding the towers ( pigeonniers) ...not for the pigeons but added living space and a design feature.
There are many other structures that have found new purposes... Old bread ovens being used as pizza ovens or converted to small cottages.
At Domaine Gaury, the proprietor Yves makes and bakes pizzas in the old bread oven for their guests.
I think it would make a wonderful outdoor oven/ barbecue/fire pit ... don't you?
Many of the old gariottes which once provided shelter and protection from inclement weather for the farmers now are abandoned and are mere stone outcrops in the fields... I won't talk too much about these, see my previous post... "French Gariottes" 05/18/2013.
What would you do with your stone treasure if you found one on your property or purchased one?
Maybe build yourself a "pied a terre" in the French country side, a potting or garden shed, a playhouse for the kids, a guest house, an outdoor barbecue...
the possibilities are endless!
