A dovecote or dovecot is a building intended to house pigeons or doves, which were an important food source in history.

In some cultures, particularly Medieval Europe, the possession of a dovecote was a symbol of status and power and was consequently regulated by law. Only nobles had this special privilege.

Dovecotes may be square or circular, and generally contain pigeonholes where the birds nest.

The French word for dovecote is pigeonnier or colombier. In some French provinces, especially Normandy, France, the dovecotes were built of wood in a very stylized way. Stone was the other popular building material for these old dovecotes.

In Brittany, France, the dovecote was sometimes built directly into the upper walls of the house or manor.

Many ancient manors in France and the United Kingdom have a dovecote (still standing or in ruins) in one section of the enclosure or in nearby fields. Examples include Bodysgallen Hall in Wales and Muchalls Castle in Scotland.

Buildings and structures

Colombier (édifice) | Pombal (edifício)