Pigeon-fanciers and Dovecotes

pigeonnier

The typical pigeon farms in the Nord are called “censes”. They are often brick structures facing stables on the other site of a square courtyard. Tiled roofs or Flemish “pannes” and a raised porch of a pigeon house complete the traditional rural habitat. Pigeon-fancying remains a common pastime in the mining basin. Pigeon-fanciers are called “coulonneux” in the local patois and pigeon lofts can be found all around the streets.

In Drouvin-le-Marais, there are different examples of typical farmhouses in rue du Pré, rue de l’Eglise, rue du Bois Villain or in the Verquin path.

In Labourse, they can mainly be seen from rue A. Larue.

In Vaudricourt, rue des Montagnes offers a few examples.

In Nœux-les-Mines, a typical farmhouse can be found at the junction between rue Labarrois and rue J. Jaurès.