The Dovecots

The very central area of the Caux country has always been a vital agricultural
sector. The Earth here is rich and is the birthplace of many families of both noble and less grand birth.Here they built their castles, manor house and Dovecots which symbolised their wealth and privilege. The heart of the Caux country boasts many Dovecots built in many shades of brick stone and Flint. They were often cylindrical in shape, rarely square based and proved to be one of the most attractive structures in our region. On your travels you will find
some of the best examples at Foucart, Hattenville, Roqufort, Cliponville,
Bermonville, Benetot, Ancouteville et Saint-Pierre Lavis.

Heritage

While exploring the road and lanes of the heart of the Caux you will be surprised the variety of our architectural heritage. The complete history of our area is portrayed here as well as the work it carried out, its apprehensions and its riches; sixteenth century manor house farms, fortified houses reminding us of troubled times, 17th and 18th century castles – the nerve centres of vast estates belonging to rich bourgeois families from Rouen,
farmsteads hidden behind their spectacular beech hedges, thatched half timbered peasant houses or brick built houses with thatched or slate roofs, old calveries at crossroads and brick or stone churches surrounded by their cemeteries.

The Land

The heart of Caux situated in the middle of the Caux plateau is a remarkably uniform area as much in the landscape as in the population.This modern and productive agricultural area is dedicated to crops and animal rearing but has nevertheless managed to maintain its rural character and traditions. They are ‘cauchois’ and proud of it. The flocks of seagulls hovering over the tilled earth never let you forget however that you are only fifteen kilometres from the cliffs and the sea.