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eNCA
5 days ago
- General
- eNCA
France's military pigeons race in memory of brave predecessors
PARIS - These days, French military pigeon number 193-529 is no longer needed to carry tiny messages during war-time communication blackouts. But the racing bird serves as a reminder of the brave service of its predecessors in World Wars I and II, and the 1870 siege of Paris. Inside Europe's last military pigeon loft, Sergeant Sylvain cradled 193-529, an alert feathered athlete with an iridescent green neck. "He's a carrier pigeon, like the ones who served in World Wars I and II," said Sylvain, withholding his surname for security purposes. "But today he races," added the member of the armed forces, whose grandfather was also a pigeon fancier. In Mont Valerien outside Paris, Sylvain flits between dovecotes, tending to some 200 pigeons -- cleaning their shelters and making sure they have enough to eat. These days, they only use their navigating skills when they are released during competitions, military ceremonies, or demonstrations for visitors, he said. AFP | BERTRAND GUAY Patriotic Parisians donated more than 300 pigeons to the war effort, which were loaded into the wicker baskets of hot-air balloons and transported southwards to the city of Tours. Upon arrival, they were fitted with small tubes containing 3 to 4cm of microfilm on which minute messages had been inscribed, called "pigeongrams". They were then released as close to the capital as possible so they could carry them back inside. Only around 50 pigeons made it. Parisians who found the pigeons then placed the microfilm between sheets of glass and, using a magic lantern -- an early type of image projector, projected it onto a large screen to read it. They transcribed the contents and delivered the message to its intended recipient. AFP | BERTRAND GUAY During the two world wars, pigeons were used again when "modern means of communication reached their limits", such as "bombardments ripping down telephone lines", Sylvain said. During World War II, a French pigeon helped alert Allies that six German U-boats were undergoing maintenance in the French port of Bordeaux, leading to aerial raids that destroyed four of them, Sylvain said. The pigeon, nicknamed "Maquisard" like some members of the French Resistance, received an award. The French military last relied on homing pigeons during the war in Algeria from 1954 to 1962 that led to the North African country's independence from France.
eNCA
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Napoleon collection sells at auction for $10 mn
PARIS - A massive trove of artwork and curios linked to Napoleon Bonaparte, including one of his iconic bicorne hats, has sold for more than $10 million in Paris, an auction house said. Sotheby's said it had originally estimated the more than 110 items of Napoleonic memorabilia that it sold on Wednesday at around $7 million. Famous paintings of the 19th-century French emperor, gilded imperial furniture and a copy of the marriage certificate between Napoleon and his wife Josephine were among the items up for auction. AFP | BERTRAND GUAY Relics linked to Napoleon regularly come up for sale at auction in France in a flourishing trade marked by intense interest from collectors. The vast collection also included Napoleon's first will written while in exile on the Atlantic island of Saint Helena, and the sword and staff used for his coronation at Paris' famed Notre Dame Cathedral in 1804. Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena in 1815 after his defeat by the British at the Battle of Waterloo. He died there six years later. French collector Pierre-Jean Chalencon, a former star of a French antiques television show who dubs himself "Napoleon's press officer", assembled the collection over four decades. AFP | BERTRAND GUAY Born in a Parisian suburb, Chalencon started his collection at the age of 13 and accumulated more than 1,000 objects, including a coronation ring and a piece of the emperor's coffin. At a different Parisian auction in late May, one of Napoleon's sabres sold for 4.6 million euros, coming close to a new record price for a Napoleonic artefact.
Toronto Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Napoleon collection sells at auction for $10M
The vast collection included Napoleon's first will written while in exile on the Atlantic island of Saint Helena The Napoleon memorabilia was originally estimated at around 7 million euros. Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP PARIS — A massive trove of artwork and curios linked to Napoleon Bonaparte, including one of his iconic bicorne hats, has sold for more than US$10 million in Paris, an auction house said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sotheby's said it had originally estimated the more than 110 items of Napoleonic memorabilia that it sold on Wednesday at around $7 million. Famous paintings of the 19th-century French emperor, gilded imperial furniture and a copy of the marriage certificate between Napoleon and his wife Josephine were among the items up for auction. The vast collection also included Napoleon's first will written while in exileBERTRAND GUAY/AFP Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Relics linked to Napoleon regularly come up for sale at auction in France in a flourishing trade marked by intense interest from collectors. The vast collection also included Napoleon's first will written while in exile on the Atlantic island of Saint Helena, and the sword and staff used for his coronation at Paris' famed Notre Dame Cathedral in 1804. Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena in 1815 after his defeat by the British at the Battle of Waterloo. He died there six years later. French collector Pierre-Jean Chalencon, a former star of a French antiques television show who dubs himself 'Napoleon's press officer', assembled the collection over four decades. French collector Pierre-Jean Chalencon assembled the items over four decadesBERTRAND GUAY/AFP Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Born in a Parisian suburb, Chalencon started his collection at the age of 13 and accumulated more than 1,000 objects, including a coronation ring and a piece of the emperor's coffin. At a different Parisian auction in late May, one of Napoleon's sabres sold for 4.6 million euros, coming close to a new record price for a Napoleonic artefact. Canada Sunshine Girls Music Toronto Raptors Toronto & GTA
