Maison de la Colombophilie et du Patrimoine Local

About the museum

The museum opened in 1989 in Bouvignies, on the initiative of the mayor of the time, together with the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park. It occupies the former 18th-century dovecote in the farmyard of the château of the Nédonchel family, restored and fitted out for the purpose. The original project was entirely devoted to homing pigeon breeding (colombophilie).

In 2009, the town and the association Bouvignies Hier et Aujourd'hui decided to rethink the interior of the museum, which had remained unchanged until then. Between 2010 and 2012, the exhibitions were entirely renewed, the building was secured and its access adapted for visitors with disabilities. The renovation was supported by the Nord Department, the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park, the Pays Pévèlois and the town. Since then, the site has been called the Maison de la Colombophilie et du Patrimoine Local.

The visit unfolds across five levels. The second floor covers the history of Bouvignies, with its Gallo-Roman tile kilns, seigneurial families and the château. The third floor presents dovecote architecture and the practice of pigeon racing. The fourth floor deals with pigeon care, their homing ability, competition trophies and the role of the carrier pigeon in conflicts from 1870 to the wars in Indochina and Algeria. At the top, the aviary houses homing pigeons and fancy pigeons.

Highlights

• 18th-century seigneurial dovecote about twenty meters high
• History of homing pigeon breeding and pigeon races
• The carrier pigeon in conflicts, from 1870 to the Algerian War
• Local history: Gallo-Roman tile kilns, seigneurial families, château
• Aviary with homing pigeons and fancy pigeons

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours sur cinq niveaux : histoire locale et colombophilie – From the first floor to the aviary, the circuit presents the history of Bouvignies, dovecote architecture, homing pigeon breeding, competitions and the role of the carrier pigeon in war.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Association Bouvignies Hier et Aujourd'hui, avec la commune de Bouvignies

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site indicates that the building's access was adapted for visitors with disabilities during the 2010–2012 renovation, without further details.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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