Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes
MonumentHidden Treasure
Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes, located in Figeac (Département 46), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Figeac, Département 46, Occitanie
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 44.5890, 2.0242
- Mérimée Reference
- PA46000044
An architectural curiosity in the Lot region, this 17th-century dovecote and fountain combines a dovecote, vaulted cistern, fishpond and living space adorned with painted decorations - a rural pavilion of rare sophistication.
History
In the heart of the Quercy region of Figeac, the dovecote of the Estampes manor house is radically different from its rural counterparts. Far from being the simple utilitarian building that its name suggests, this 17th-century building is a true multi-purpose pavilion, with a wealth of interior features that surprise you at every turn. Listed as a Historic Monument since 2010, it bears witness to the refinement that a noble family from the Quercy region could infuse into even the smallest outbuilding on its estate. What makes this place truly unique is the ingenious stacking of its functions. On the ground floor, a vaulted cistern collected rainwater and fed it by gravity into a fishpond under the window, providing the manor house with a precious water resource. On the upper floor, under the attic, was the dovecote itself, reserved for rearing pigeons - a jealously guarded seigneurial privilege under the Ancien Régime. Between the two, a fully equipped living room may have housed an estate warden or served as a pleasure pavilion for the masters of the estate. The interior of this intermediate room is the real revelation of the visit. Remains of painted decorations still adorn the walls, evoking an unexpected aesthetic concern for a farm outbuilding. The beautifully crafted carved stone fireplace and terracotta tiled floor give the space a domestic and intimate, almost secret atmosphere. A staircase turret serves the different levels, adding a touch of architectural elegance to the whole. Figeac, a medieval town with golden sandstone alleyways, is famous for being the birthplace of Champollion, the decipherer of hieroglyphics. The Estampes manor house and its dovecote are part of this rich heritage landscape, between the limestone plateaux and the Célé valley. An ideal stop-off for lovers of discreet rural heritage and sophisticated architecture.
Architecture
The building takes the form of a small, compact pavilion, vertically organised into three distinct levels, each dedicated to a specific function. The lower level houses a vaulted cistern, a semi-buried space whose limestone masonry ensures that the water is kept cool and watertight. A slightly raised opening in the outer wall allowed the water to be fed to the outside fishpond simply by applying hydraulic pressure - an elegant technical solution that was perfectly suited to the rural context. The middle level is the living room, the heart of the building. It features a carved stone fireplace, the proportions and craftsmanship of which evoke the skills of 17th-century Quercy stonemasons. The terracotta tiled floor, a material typical of southern Toulouse and the Quercy region, gives the space a characteristic visual warmth. The remains of painted decorations on the walls, although fragmentary, bear witness to ornamentation inspired by both the vernacular and the art world. Access to this level, as to the others, is provided by an off-staircase turret adjoining the main building, a feature that gives the building its slender, picturesque silhouette. The upper level, reserved for the dovecote, would have contained the traditional boulins - nesting niches carved into the masonry or brickwork - as well as the flight openings allowing the pigeons to circulate freely. All the materials used are traditional Quercy construction materials: regional limestone for the walls, probably covered with a roof of lauzes or flat canal tiles, according to local custom. This pavilion is a perfect example of the noble rural architecture of the Quercy region, halfway between functional sobriety and discreet refinement.
Related Figures
Famille d'Estampes — seigneurs propriétaires du manoir et commanditaires du pigeonnier au XVIIe siècleArtisans tailleurs de pierre quercinois — auteurs de la cheminée et de la tourelle d'escalierArtisans peintres locaux — créateurs des décors muraux dont les vestiges sont encore visiblesService Régional de l'Inventaire Midi-Pyrénées — acteur de la reconnaissance patrimoniale et de l'inscription MH en 2010
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes located?
Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes is located in Figeac, Département 46 department, Occitanie region, France.
When was Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes built?
Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes open to visitors?
Pigeonnier du manoir d'Etempes is currently closed to visitors.
