Pigeons in Paris

There is no better place on earth to commence my pigeon blog than Paris. I wonder, am I the first person ever, in the history of the world, to go to Paris in search for photographs of historic sights featuring the most ubiquitous and least appreciated residents of this great city, pigeons? Perhaps.

Pigeon fact: Pigeons have played an important role in the history of Europe, and Paris in particular. During the Siege of Paris, lasting from September 19, 1870 to January 28, 1871 (which brought about French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and led to the establishment of the German Empire) pigeons were the only source of communications for those trapped in Paris. Pigeons were regularly taken out of Paris by balloon then taken to their bases, first at Tours (200 km from Paris) and later Poitiers (300 km). After their arrival from Paris and when they had been fed and tested, they were ready for their return journey. During the four months of the siege, 150,000 official and 1 million private communications were carried to Paris by the pigeons.

If you love pigeons, like I do, where ever you go it feels like you are among friends. Paris is filled with pigeons, and most people despise them. I have to admit they aren't as good looking as pigeons here in the South of France. But then they are eating french fries and bread, not grain, as they should be. None the less, I did find a few fellow pigeon lovers and had to take their picture too.

When I heard that the Pope was going to be in Paris the same time I was, I decided I'd like to try to get a picture of the Pope, in Paris, with a pigeon. In the end I did, with the help of large public screens located all around the city showing the news of the event.

My little friends were everywhere I went - they even came to see me off at the train station.

Pigeon with Pope ( small blue screen