Pigeon Houses in "pays de Caux"

Pigeon house can be polygonal (hexagonal or octogonal) but more often than not it is cylindrical. The finial of the crest is a pigeon. It surmounts this imposing structure covered with thatch, tiles or slates.
The cornice at the top exhibits beautiful architectural details allowing for a smooth transition from the polygonal roof : note the cantilevers, corbelling and arcs.
Half way to the top a metal band called a "larmier" circles the pigeon house and discourages rodents from entering it.

The builders used local materiels to cover the pigeon house and created superb mosaics, friezes, and chekered patterns of bricks and stone, black or blond silex, and varnished bricks.
Richly decorated openings, carefully adorned dates and coats of arms complement these colorful structures. Enter through the narrow opening and you will discover through a dim light the timber work and the functional organization of  space. A pivoting ladder reaches holes where pigeons used to nest.
Itinerary             
Start from  Fauville.Take road CD 228 and take, to the right, a small road leading to Bennetot.


Bennetot

 You will see close to the church, in the middleof a "cour-masure" (farm yard) the brick pigeon house of the Vertot manor. Stop to admire the pretty cross (beginning of the XVth) of Hattenville on road CD228. Walk around Tremauville where church is hidden behind trees and bushes, admire the stone spire of Tocqueville-les-Murs and the old fortress of Bois-Rosé in Bénarville. 


Angerville
Bailleul

 Chateau of Bailleul, built during Renaissance period (1543) by Bertrand de Bailleul, has a beautiful park, a chapel and a pigeon house dated 1730. The date appears above the entrance. Visit of the park : €3,5 


Daubeuf
Serville

 Towards Valmont, the Vertot Hamlet pigeon house, in the middle of a "cour-masure" can be seen from road CD 10. In Valmont,  chateau of "Sire d'Estourelles" overlooks Valmont valley. Benedictine Abbey can be visited (Call 02 35 27 34 92)


Thérouldeville

 Towards Cany, between the "abbey doors", take road CD 10. from the road, you will see the pigeon house of "La Hetraie" hamlet, and its diamond-shape pattern of varnished bricks.


Gerponville

 The "Grandes Portes" Farm. You may go through the farm and admire beautiful decoration of the façade and the coat of arms above magnificent door made of sandstone.


Cany

 Towards cany, to the left of road CD 10, you will see Hocqueville hamlet pigeon house, built of stone and blond silex.
The chateau of Cany, surrounded by Durdent river was built between 1640 and 1646 by Mansart, an uncle of the architect of Versailles chateau. (Information 02 35 97 70 32)


Grainville
la Teinturière

 In Grainville la Teinturière, by the church, you can easily see the pigeon house built on the medieval embankment of the chateau of Jehan de Béthancourt, King of Canaries.


Bosville

 Not far, Bieurville hamlet pigeon house is covered with reeds.
Follow Durdent river valley where you will see old mills and their paddle-wheels, fish farms and water cress farms.


Oherville

 The Auffay Manor and its restored pigeon house are masterpieces with their splendid colorful mosaic of stone and silex.. Information (Call : 02 35 96 69 69)


Héricourt
en Caux

 Allow enough time to enjoy this lovely village. The pigeon house of "Petit Veauville" hamlet was built next yo a beautiful pond. Its twelve sided polygonal shape is very rare. Blind arcades make a smooth transition to the circular shape of the roof. Bricks, stones and silex alternate in gorgeous patterns.


Saint Pierre
Lavis

 Towards Bolbec, take road CD 149. You can't miss the "De la Chaussée" hamlet pigeon house, restored in 1992. You will see it from the road through the entrance cut in the embankment with its tall trees surrounding, the typical clos-masure of Pays de Caux. Come back to Fauville.