The dovecote

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The local lords built dovecotes in the bordelaise countryside (that has had vineyards for centuries) in the XIVth century to repel vermin from fields. Though they were criticized by neighbouring farmers for the damages they caused to surrounding crops, doves were a major element in the Old Regime.

Doves were used as messengers in war times and gave lots of food all year round and produced the best fertilizer to find.

All this justified that dovecotes had a specific architecture.

The imposing dovecote at CHATEAU DE ROLLAND with a height of 7,40 m (24.27 ft) and a circumference of 25 m (82.02 ft) has 1,000 nests.

Through the years, the dovecote had damages and we ad to react to preserve our local heritage.

                                                 
The dovecote before the works                                  The scaffolds

  The restoration was done in 2008                            Inside the dovecote

                                                  
You can see the bad shape of the upper part of the dovecote. It must be completely rebuilt.

 All the replacing work is done a mason carving stones.

  The new stones have been put and the upper part of the dovecote is sealed. It is now saved from falling into decay.

                                        
                                  The restored dovecote from a lower view.

You can discover this building from our local heritage when you visit us.