This exceptional project, of which our teams are particularly proud, will remain a landmark chapter in the history of the Channel Tunnel. It was made possible through seven months of collective effort and exemplary collaboration between all the partners involved.
The Channel Tunnel proved to be the solution best suited to ensuring the tapestry’s integrity throughout its transfer.
Transporting the tapestry by rail aboard a LeShuttle train and through the Channel Tunnel allowed precise control of the convoy’s speed, and, consequently, helped minimise vibrations, which represented the principal challenge in preserving such a fragile artwork.
This option also offered the advantage of avoiding weather-related disruptions and the movements inherent to maritime transport, thereby providing more stable and secure conditions for an object of such exceptional sensitivity.
The tapestry travelled through the Channel Tunnel’s 50-kilometre route, including 37.9 kilometres beneath the seabed. At the shuttle’s operating speed, the section directly beneath the English Channel takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes, within a total crossing time of around 35 minutes.
What made a difference:
- Safety
- High level of security protection
- Constant speed / stability
- The ability for an escort to travel with the truck
