Musée colombophile militaire

Military museum in the Mont-Valérien fortress on the history of carrier pigeons, from antiquity to the present day, visible by appointment only.

Ask the museum for opening hours

Directions

Musée colombophile militaireAsk the museum for opening hours

About the museum

The Musée colombophile militaire is located in the Mont-Valérien fortress in Suresnes, one of the forts built around Paris in the 19th century. Created in 1981 according to most sources, it is run by soldiers of the 8th signal regiment (8e régiment de transmissions). The building dates from the 1930s.

The museum presents, in an educational way, the history of pigeon fancying and the breeding and use of carrier pigeons, from antiquity to the present day. Considerable space is given to their military role in recent conflicts and to pigeon-racing sport. The best-known exhibit is the stuffed specimen of Vaillant, a pigeon decorated during the First World War. Messages carried by these birds are also preserved there.

The museum is housed in the same place as the national military pigeon loft (colombier militaire national), presented as the last military pigeon loft still active in Europe, which houses around 200 pigeons. These birds no longer have an operational role and are kept mainly for tradition and for competitions. The museum holds the “Musée de France” designation.

Highlights

History of pigeon fancying, from antiquity to the present day
Military role of carrier pigeons in recent conflicts
Vaillant, a pigeon decorated during the First World War and preserved by taxidermy
National military pigeon loft next door, the last one still active in Europe