Seigneurial period XIIe siècle - 1668 (≈ 1250)
Possession by the Tower Barons.
XVIe siècle
Construction of dovecotes
Construction of dovecotes XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Main period of construction, various forms.
17 janvier 1978
Registration Historic Monument
Registration Historic Monument 17 janvier 1978 (≈ 1978)
Official protection of the six dovecotes.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Colombia (six) (Case D 118, 346, 986; ZA 29; ZC 137): entry by order of 17 January 1978
Key figures
Barons de la Tour d'Auvergne - Local Lords
Possible sponsors of the dovecotes between XII and XVII.
Origin and history
The six dovecotes of Saint-Saturnin, located in the Puy-de-Dôme, date mainly from the sixteenth century. Their masonry construction of coated bellows and their various roofs (conical with lantern or single slope) reflect a remarkable architectural diversity. Their cylindrical shape suggests an origin prior to the sixteenth century, when the square dovecotes appeared. These buildings could have been erected by the Barons of the Tower of Auvergne, lords of Saint-Saturnin from the 12th century until 1668. Today, their interior layouts have disappeared, but dovecote n°6 retains traces of ancient paintings representing foliage.
The dovecotes were symbols of prestige and seigneurial power, reserved for nobility or religious institutions. Their presence in Saint-Saturnin bears witness to the local importance of the family of the Tour d'Auvergne, which marked the history of the region for centuries. These structures were also used to rear pigeons, a valuable food and economic resource in medieval and modern times. Their protection as a Historic Monument since 1978 underscores their heritage value.
Their exact location, although documented (17 Rue de la Chantelle), remains approximate according to available sources, with a cartographic accuracy considered fair. Their current state and accessibility to the public are not specified, but their inclusion in the inventory of Historic Monuments guarantees their preservation for future generations.
