A nice thing about blogging: the great folks you connect with, from unexpected corners.
After reading my post on pumpkin spice, reader Doris Wolfe, an American who lives in Normandy with her husband John, sent me a photo of John with his prize pumpkin (40 lbs!). He was standing in front of a fanciful building, the likes of which I had never seen. A garden folly perhaps? I wasn't sure.
But it is in fact a type of pigeonnier, or dovecote, as Doris explained in an email. It's a colombier, which is a pigeonnier which is free-standing.
We happen to have a pigeonnier attached to our house (pictured below). Our village is known for having a great number of them. In the French countryside, it was a status symbol to have your own pigeonnier. Funny, since its purpose is to collect pigeon caca (the funny French word for "droppings"–animal or human!). And why was it la di da to have one? Because pigeon caca is said to be the premium fertilizer for the garden.
Dovecotes are still a status symbol here in France, but for a different reason now: they're cute! A tiny tower, connected to your house or free-standing, is an architectural delight. And folks now re-purpose them, for all kinds of things. Mine is now a tiny boudoir off my guest room, where guests can retreat to read a book. But Doris and John's is in a class by itself, as you will see.
I asked Doris to be our guest blogger today. Here is the story of her divine columbier:
"Built in 1590, this building is a colombier. A couple of thousand pigeons would have lived in it. It was falling down and my husband completely renovated it, in the 1980’s.
Inside now, there are three floors, the main floor has a walk-in brick and stone fireplace, big beams in the building. Wonderful to entertain in, great place for afternoon tea or dining. It can hold a crowd.
In the original state (inside) it would have been open all the way to the top with only one door and a window at the top for the pigeons to fly in and out. Clay pigeon holes for nesting pigeons to lay their eggs lined the walls. The pigeon droppings where most valued for gardens and could be part of a bride’s dowery."
More photos:
"It’s a great building and we love it. When the village named streets, ours was named appropriately, Rue du Colombier." This is the first floor.
Here is the second floor:
"No more, the home of pigeons. John made it into a place to spend time.This is the very top floor. Not a nail in the building. Beautiful wood beams."
"Almost finished…a needlepoint that I am currently working on, it will be a bench cushion. Le Colombier is much loved."
Doris and John in front of their Colombier
And Doris sends a photo of their fabulous home:
And finally, a picture of our (more modest!) pigeonnier in Burgundy:
Merci, Doris and John, for sharing your lovely home with us!
In the COMMENTS: New Thanksgiving traditions I'm going to steal: Natalia's sweet potato casserole with maple syrup and marscapone, and Michaela's flat pie with pear and cranberry. Francine, thanks for being our French language expert! Meanwhile, more on Morning Buns from Nancy Jane.
Favorite READS, & videos: How on earth did I miss the "Alice in Paris" series? Thank you, Bonnie, for posting this! Alice in Paris is a series of short videos by a Parisian named Alice. They're funny and clever. If you love France, or just need a smile, check these out!
Christmas shopping tip: Our friends at the European Market have curated gifts which they collect in Europe. Take a look!
14 thoughts on “A Very Chic Home for a Lowly Pigeon”
What an amazing pigeonnier, or should I say Colombier. We have many around us here in rural Worcestershire and Warwickshire in England and of a great variety both stone and half-timbered. Years ago one of me students did a fascinating project on them. They were also such an important source of food too. Thanks for sharing that, Lynn, and introducing me to the meaning of Colombier.
Charmant! 🌸
I admit to never knowing what a Colombier is or a Pigeonnier. John & Doris sure have a beauty; house & Colombier. What an incredible project to show off their talent and workmanship. The needlepoint is also a work of art as well. I now have a new French word to add to my vocabulary!
Thanks, Debby Woods
ps. where is the recipe for “Natalia’s sweet potato casserole with maple syrup and marscapone.” I’m salivating already!
A terrific post…now I will recognize a Colomierwhen I see one. I had just read that is was a Status Symbol is have a Pigonnier and I had no
idea why. Thanks for this wonderful bit of history…& the opportuniry to see this fantastic renovation! a triple WOW!
Are you in SC or Cluny?
Their entire property looks straight out of Harry Potter world. Fantastic. Thank you.
Love the pigeonnier stories – I had no idea they were so large and valuable. Amazing structure, no nails!
Replaced the mashed potatoes w/gratin dauphinois for T-day and loved it. Always good to have more leftover gravy. And the flat pie turned out beautifully and was a big hit. I didn’t even burn the bird, in spite of a miscalibrated (slow) oven and an incinerated instant-read thermometer. All’s well…
What amazing pigeonniers,Lynn!Starting with yours and finishing with John and Doris’.Between John’s talent with building and Doris’ with needlepoint,wow!My imagination has totally been captured!
Thank you!
As I’m sure you know,pigeons(and their babies,the squabs) are also regarded as a food source.Our grand mere raised them for this reason and served with either tomato sauce or a red wine reduction.I. admit I was never (and still am not) a fan.
I feel like giving my modem 40 whacks;it is Sunday and I just got your post!
Well done, Doris and John! Terrific renovation of a stunning structure, and thanks Lynne, for the history of these buildings, as I have seen them everywhere, but never quite understood their purpose.
Loved this post! A few years ago my husband were spending several days in Normandy and we stayed at a lovely old estate that had a colombier. Our hostess Agnes took me inside to show me how she had turned it into a wonderful place for the grandchildren to play. What I wouldn’t have given to have that as my playhouse! Agnes told me that hundreds of years ago, the owners would sell the pigeon eggs to workers on the farm and other townsfolk. It was charming!
A dream place!! What a a wonderful idea. the colombier does have a magical touch. Félicitations à Doris et John !
If that is modest, I’d like to see luxurious…
We have had the pleasure of visiting our friends John and Doris in Normandy. We both collect antique lighting devices such as whale oil lamps, etc. John has outfitted the columbier with period lighting which makes it just that much more charming.
They have the most wonderful property.
We miss them very much.
Lucky pigeons. Lucky garden. Lucky John and Doris.
So many nice comments. Merci Beaucoup!
We love to share the history of le colombier.
I should have mentioned that our good friend Steve Austin took some of those super photos of la maison et le colombier😊