Container catena

Container Catena consists of 36 shipping containers arranged to form two intersecting arches that rise to about 28.5 meters (93.5 feet). The structure sits near the harbor entrance and dominates the port district with its geometric presence.

The work was unveiled in May 2017 as part of celebrations marking the city's 500th anniversary. It represents a modern artistic contribution to the port city's evolving identity.

The sculpture uses shipping containers to reflect the port trade that shapes Le Havre's character and economy. Visitors can see how industrial materials connect the artwork directly to the city's maritime identity.

The artwork sits directly along the harbor promenade and is accessible from multiple sides. You can view and photograph it throughout the day and evening, with different angles revealing new perspectives.

The 36 containers are assembled without adhesives, held together only by mathematical precision and gravity. This construction method demonstrates how modern engineering can achieve stability through geometry alone.

Location: Le Havre

Creator: Vincent Ganivet

Official opening: May 27, 2017

Height: 28.5 m

Website: https://uneteauhavre.fr/fr/les-oeuvres/catene-de-containers

GPS coordinates: 49.48435,0.10461

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42