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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Pigeon House is an emblematic building located in the commune of Gigouzac, in the Lot department, in the Occitanie region. Built between the 17th and 18th centuries, this old bourgeois house is distinguished by its atypical architecture, combining two dovecotes: one made of stone and the other made of wood. Access to the wooden dovecote is through a picturesque awning with a wooden balcony, adding to its historic charm.

The house was listed as historic monuments on 15 May 1974 (or 17 May 1974 according to sources), thus recognizing its heritage value. The protected elements specifically include facades and roofs, as specified in the registration order. This type of construction reflects the high social status of its original owners, with pigeons often associated with seigneurial or bourgeois privileges under the Old Regime.

Architecturally, the wooden dovecote rests on wooden pillars, a common technique in the region for agricultural outbuildings or secondary elements of affluent homes. The house thus illustrates local constructive practices, mixing noble materials (stone) and traditional techniques (wood). Its state of conservation and its inscription among historical monuments make it a valuable testimony of the Occitan rural heritage.

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