Claville-Motteville

The Pays de Caux, bounded by the triangle of Le Havre, Dieppe, and Rouen, is renowned for its wealth and variety of dovecotes—true architectural and historical landmarks. Today, these majestic towers, over six hundred of which have been recorded in the département of Seine-Maritime, are the focus of great interest and active heritage conservation. Amongst these structures, the Claville-Motteville dovecote, often found standing close to the village church, bears witness to a history where secular and religious power were closely entwined—a defining characteristic of the old Pays de Caux.

Symbol of a Hated Privilege

The dovecote, or more precisely the colombier à pied (a freestanding tower-shaped building), was once the tangible mark of power, wealth, and seigniorial privilege under the Ancien Régime. In Normandy, a land governed by customary law, the right to own such a building was strictly reserved for those holding a "full fief." Consequently, these lords spared no expense, commissioning "grand and beautiful" structures to signal their social standing.

The importance of these towers was not merely symbolic; they played a vital role in the agricultural economy. Squabs (young pigeons) provided a choice delicacy—a refined and sought-after meat at a time when salt-cured foods were the staple. Furthermore, colombine (pigeon guano) was considered the finest of manures: a highly coveted fertiliser for soil improvement due to its high nitrogen content and other essential elements.

However, this right was one of the most loathed of all manorial privileges, as the pigeons would feast on the peasants’ seeds and harvests. The cahiers de doléances (records of grievances) written on the eve of the French Revolution—such as the one from Ocqueville in March 1789—demanded that dovecotes be closed or even demolished. This feudal right was finally abolished on the night of 4 August 1789.

Cauchois Architecture: Functionality and Polychromy

The golden age of the Cauchois dovecote spanned the 16th to the 18th centuries. The typical regional model is circular, often built at the heart of the cour-masure (the traditional enclosed farmstead). Their silhouette, imposing and descended from the medieval tower, is characterised by a steeply pitched roof, usually in a "pepperpot" style.

The architecture of the Caux region is particularly famous for its ornate decoration and the "skilful polychromy" of its local materials. Masons utilised a varied palette extracted from the earth: ubiquitous red brick, limestone, and above all, flint (perfectly knapped, in shades of amber or black).

Inside, efficiency was paramount. These freestanding dovecotes—which could routinely house 3,000 pigeons across 1,500 boulins (nesting holes)—were equipped with an ingenious revolving ladder. Mounted on a central vertical spindle, it allowed unobstructed access to every nest for maintenance and harvesting. To protect the birds from "vermin" (predators), the exterior wall was encircled at mid-height by a projecting stringcourse, sometimes reinforced with smooth, slippery flints to prevent climbing.

A Preserved Heritage

Despite the abolition of the privilege, most dovecotes were not destroyed, though many fell into disrepair through lack of maintenance. Fortunately, the Seine-Maritime General Council pioneered a policy for the protection of this rural heritage. Today, the tide has turned: more dovecotes are being saved from ruin than are being lost.

To encourage the public to rediscover these monuments, the Departmental Tourism Committee has established the "Route des Colombiers Cauchois." The Claville-Motteville dovecote, noted as a prime example of the architectural link between the manorial estate and the place of worship, remains a vital part of this rich history—a reminder of a past where the height of the tower symbolised the height of one's power.