Holes

Along the top of the side wall of our house are a series of holes in the stonework, and we are often asked about them.

The little, triangular spaces are home to a small population of house sparrows, that come and go throughout the summer. But why are the holes there?

We have been told by locals that the holes were allowed for certain types of houses, and that the holes would have been a status symbol for the owners.

An old postcard we purchased from a vide grenier also shows that our house once had a ‘pigeonnier’, or pigeon tower. Pigeonniers were also once a status symbol, and proof of wealth, power and authority. Keeping pigeons was a right restricted to royalty, clergy and nobility. The pigeonnier is no longer there, which is good for us, as it’s now where we enjoy sitting and having breakfast.