Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The dovecote of the Prade, located in Vic-sur-Cère in the Cantal, is an architectural testimony of the 3rd quarter of the 18th century. Its set, including a barn- barn dated 1768, illustrates the evolution of rural habitat in Haute-Auvergne. The barn marks a key step in local vernacular architecture, while adjacent houses, modified in 1868 and around 1940, reflect successive adaptations to agricultural needs.

The site is composed of a dovecote in hexagonal tower on pillars, the most remarkable element, accompanied by two houses of housing, a pig house, a henhouse and a hangar. Although the mill and a southern house have disappeared, the main volumes have remained stable since 1840, despite minor changes in roofs. The dovecote, the only protected element, was listed as historical monuments by order of 13 January 2017.

The first written mention of the Prade dates back to 1363, revealing an ancient occupation of the site. The whole, today communal property, retains a rare architectural coherence, with buildings organized around agricultural and domestic activities. Its recent protection underscores its heritage importance in the rural Cantalian landscape, where pigeons once symbolized the social status of landowners.

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