Ten years after its inauguration, the pontoon - a floating tourist information point - erected by architect Francois Valentiny has been removed.
Preparatory work began in August with the removal of the mantle and technical installations inside the pontoon. The actual deconstruction started on 9 September, following the reverse steps of its original construction.
By Friday, the only visible remains of the pontoon were its base, which had to be transported a few meters across the Moselle River by a tugboat, or "Schlepper." Cranes then retrieved the base from the water, completing the process in about 1.5 hours.
The remaining deconstruction will take place on dry land, with the steel pieces set to be recycled for reuse. The pontoon was removed to make way for the return of the MS Princesse Marie Astrid to Luxembourg. This iconic vessel, where the Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985, has long been a tourist attraction in Luxembourg.
The space once occupied by the Valentiny pontoon will be transformed into a dock, allowing visitors to board the Marie Astrid starting in Summer 2025.
