Le Colombier

It is assumed that the introduction of dovecotes and pigeon lofts dates back to the Roman legions. In the 15th century, Philippe Le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, passed a law requiring anyone wishing to build a dovecote to obtain prior authorisation. The construction of a dovecote was a symbol of grandeur, reserved for certain lords. During the Revolution, this privilege was abolished, and residents complained about the havoc pigeons were wreaking on their crops. By municipal decree in 1791, the town closed the dovecotes.

The Is-sur-Tille dovecote, renovated in 1998 and located on the riverbank behind the municipal workshops, has around 1,500 bollards and used to be able to accommodate around 600 squabs a week.