Presumed construction XVIe siècle (?) (≈ 1650)
Estimated period of construction of the dovecote.
1950
Destruction of the ear
Destruction of the ear 1950 (≈ 1950)
Spiper scorched that year.
20 décembre 1973
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 20 décembre 1973 (≈ 1973)
Protection of facades and roofs by stop.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facades and roofs (Case D 359): inscription by decree of 20 December 1973
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any historical actors related to this monument.
Origin and history
The dovecote of Camusat, located in Solomiac in Gers, is a historical monument of circular plan, a rare feature in the region. Its construction probably dates back to the 16th century, although this dating remains uncertain. The building is distinguished by its larval partially replaced by a sheet metal, a triple and parallel genoese, as well as a single door facing the west. Inside, nests are set up in the walls 1.75 metres from the ground, while the traditional shell in varnished terracotta, crushed in 1950, bears witness to its turbulent history.
The dovecote was inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 20 December 1973, protecting its facades and roofs. Its exact address, 2475 Route d'Auch à Solomiac, is referenced in the Merimée database under the code Insee 32436. Although its GPS location is considered "a priori satisfactory" (note 6/10), little practical information on its visit or current use (rent, guest rooms) is available.
Pigeons, often associated with seigneuries or farms, played an economic and symbolic role in the countryside. Camusat's circular form and architectural details illustrate local construction techniques while emphasizing the prestige associated with the possession of such a building. Its ranking reflects the heritage interest in these structures, now rare and threatened by time.
The Occitanie region, especially Gers, was marked in the 16th century by a rural economy dominated by agriculture and livestock. Pigeons, reserved for lords or wealthy landowners, served as both a food reserve (meat, manure) and a social marker. Their architecture, often sober but functional, met practical needs while affirming a status. The dovecote of Camusat, with its unique characteristics, is part of this historical and cultural context.
The present state of the monument, with its replaced (pole) or damaged (crushed epi), reveals the challenges of its preservation. Despite these alterations, its overall structure and interior arrangements (mural nests) remain valuable evidence of the agricultural and architectural practices of the past. The lack of data on its accessibility or tourist exploitation underlines the need for additional documentation for this unknown heritage.
