Musée colombophile militaire du Mont-Valérien, Military pigeon museum in Suresnes, France.
The Musée colombophile militaire du Mont-Valérien is a specialized museum dedicated to the history of carrier pigeons in military service, located within the fortified complex of Mont Valérien in Suresnes. The collection displays military communication equipment, pigeon artifacts, cages, and archive documents that show how these birds were used during armed conflicts.
The museum was established in 1981 to preserve the history of carrier pigeons that transported vital messages across enemy lines during World War I and II. The location was chosen because Fort Valérien itself was a significant site of military operations and defense during these conflicts.
The exhibitions show how carrier pigeons were valued as military messengers, especially by soldiers who depended on their reliability to send messages. Visitors can see personal items and documents that reveal this historical bond between people and animals.
The museum can be visited only by prior appointment, with guided tours offered on several weekdays and access to the collections limited. The site is located on the Mont Valérien hillside, reachable by public transport from Paris, though the grounds have some steps and uneven terrain.
The museum preserves the remains of Vaillant, a decorated carrier pigeon who earned special distinction during World War I and whose story illustrates the personal dimension of this wartime experience. This single bird symbolizes the extraordinary role these animals played and how soldiers perceived and honored them.
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