Le Havre: Retractable Gates at the Pointe de Floride Cruise Terminal

The project

With the redevelopment of the Pointe de Floride, which includes three new cruise terminals, Le Havre gains a new gateway for cruise passengers. The client is GIP Le Havre Croisières, with the Communauté Urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole acting as delegated client. The architecture is by ENIA Architectes. The project was delivered by the Legendre group as general contractor, for whom we supplied and installed the gate system.
One of the terminal buildings includes a generous outdoor area with wide seating steps leading up to a terrace in front of the glazed terminal. During the day this space is open and invites people to linger.

The brief: closed at night, invisible by day

At night, access to the terrace and the terminal had to be reliably closed. At the same time, nothing should disturb the open character of the space during the day – no gate leaves, no rails, no elements parked to the side.
In April 2026 we installed four retractable Fancy Fence gates with a total length of 20 metres and a height of 3 metres. Handover took place in September 2026. When open, the gates sit entirely below ground; all that remains visible is a narrow strip of covers in the paving. When closed, they form a tall, continuous wall of vertical profiles that blends into the ensemble as part of the architecture.

Three challenges

The first was height. 3 metres is the maximum height the Fancy Fence system allows. In Le Havre we used this dimension to the full to create a barrier that truly fulfils its purpose.
The second was geometry. The installation does not follow a straight line but is angled to follow the layout of the outdoor area. The four gates were planned so that, when closed, they still form one calm, continuous front.
The third was the environment. Right by the sea, every component is exposed to salty air and moisture. The gates were therefore given corrosion protection suited to the marine climate.

Safety for pedestrians

As this area is used mainly by pedestrians, safe operation was a key consideration. The gates are closed via a hold-to-run (dead-man) key switch: they move only while the key is held. The operator keeps the area in view at all times and can stop the movement instantly by letting go.
For emergencies, the gates can be opened via a break-glass button – quickly and without a key. The posts themselves are also adapted to their use: they are fitted with caps of the kind we use on installations intended mainly for pedestrians.

For planners and architects

Retractable gates are ideal wherever public spaces should remain open by day and be secured at night: terraces, forecourts, staircases and entrances to public buildings. Design notes, supply-line positions and pit drawings are available in the architects' download area at fancyfence.de:
https://fancyfence.de/en/architects-area

We can also supply the reinforced concrete pit as a precast element.

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Project facts

• Project: New Pointe de Floride cruise terminals
• Location: Le Havre, France
• Client: GIP Le Havre Croisières
• Delegated client: Communauté Urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole
• Architect: ENIA Architectes
• General contractor: Legendre
• Installation / handover: April 2026 / September 2026
• System: 4 retractable Fancy Fence gates
• Dimensions: Total length 20 m, height 3 m
• Purpose: Closing the terrace and terminal at night
• Operation: Hold-to-run (dead-man) key switch; emergency opening via break-glass button
• Highlights: Maximum system height, angled layout, corrosion protection for a marine environment

FAQ

• How high can retractable gates be? Fancy Fence gates are available up to a height of 3 metres. In Le Havre this maximum height was used to the full.
• Can retractable gates follow an angled line? Yes. In Le Havre, four gates follow an angled line and still form a continuous front when closed.
• Are retractable gates suitable for seaside locations? Yes, with corrosion protection suited to the marine climate. The gates in Le Havre stand right by the harbour and are protected accordingly.
• How are the gates in Le Havre operated? They are closed via a hold-to-run (dead-man) key switch. For emergencies, they can be opened via a break-glass button.
• What does hold-to-run (dead-man) operation mean? The gate moves only while the operator actively holds the switch. Letting go stops the movement immediately, so the operator keeps the danger zone in view throughout – important wherever pedestrians are present.
• How do the gates open in an emergency? Via a break-glass button: once the glass is broken, the gates open without a key.
• Where can retractable gates be used at public buildings? For example to close terraces, forecourts, staircases and entrance areas at night that should remain freely accessible during the day.
• Who was involved in the project? The client is GIP Le Havre Croisières, the delegated client the Communauté Urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole, the architect ENIA Architectes and the general contractor Legendre. Supply and installation of the gates: FancyFence GmbH.