Origin as a strong house XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Initial construction of defensive site.
XVIe siècle
Construction of the dovecote
Construction of the dovecote XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Round machine with 1,100 bolts.
XVIIe siècle
Transformation into a mansion
Transformation into a mansion XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
From strong house to seigneurial residence.
13 avril 1989
Registration historical monument
Registration historical monument 13 avril 1989 (≈ 1989)
Protection of the pigeon tree by arrest.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Pigeonnier (Case AH 113): entry by order of 13 April 1989
Key figures
Information non disponible - No names cited in the sources
Family Acquet de Ferolles evoked without details.
Origin and history
The house of the Haute-Porte, located in Prinçay in the department of Vienna (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), finds its origins in the fourteenth century as a fortified house. Turned into a manor in the 17th century, it retains defensive and utility elements, including an underground refuge and a round dovecote dating back to the 16th century, equipped with 1,100 bolts (pigeon nests). The latter, typical of the seigneuries, testifies to the economic importance of pigeon breeding in modern times.
The site also includes a bread oven and a laundry room with a pon, a stone pot used for laundry, illustrating the household life of the occupants. These developments, combined with the residential and defensive function of the house, reflect the adaptation of strong houses to seigneurial needs between the Middle Ages and the modern era. The monument has been partially protected since 1989 with an inscription as historical monuments for its pigeon house.
The presence of an underground suggests a role of refuge in conflicts, although sources are lacking to clarify its exact use. The house is part of the heritage of the castles and fortified houses of the old Poitou-Charentes, now integrated into New Aquitaine. Its history remains linked to local families, such as the Acquet de Ferolles, although their direct involvement is not detailed in available sources.
