The Crimée lifting Bridge

The Crimée Bridge is the oldest lifting bridge in Paris. Commissioned in 1885, the last lifting bridge of the French capital is used for 9 000 operations each year.

The Crimée lifting bridge on the Canal de l'Ourcq

The Bridge Operations

This last lifting bridge of the capital is still used, each year about 9000 manoeuvres are made.
The bridge lifts up twice an hour, at quarter past and quarter to. For example : 15h15 and 15h45.
The bridge may lift up 5 minutes before or 5 minutes after the scheduled time. It’s better to wait in front of the bridge a little in advance. The bridge is only up 1 minute, so don’t be late.

These lifting operations are tele-controlled by the Paris locks officers thanks to a camera. There is no on site assistance!
That’s the reason why all the 1-hour rentals are not allowed to sail out of the Bassin de la Villette.

Sunset above the Crimée vertical lift bridge, Bassin de la Villette

Security rules

  1. You have to wait for the lifting up operation 50 meters away from the Crimée Bridge – (it’s dangerous to get closer to the bridge, the officer can’t see you with the cameras):
    1. Leaving from our nautical base: Stay on your right hand, left side from the yellow floating wings
    2. Coming back to the base: Stay on your right hand, in front of the fire station
  2. Respect les lights:
    1. red light Red: You are NOT allowed to pass! (€80 fine)
    2. red and green light Red and Green: The lifting up operation is going to start. Don’t pass! (€80 fine)
    3. green light Green: You can pass the bridge if there are no other boats both behind or in front of you. Which means ANY OTHER BOATS except from Marin d’Eau Douce electric self-drive boats.
  3. It is strictly forbidden to park, moor, or land next to a bridge or a lock!