When you walk through a new metro station in Paris, you see architecture. Light. Space. Clean lines.
What you don’t see is how a 10 to 15-ton escalator found its way into that precise opening — sometimes three levels underground.
That’s where we come in.
Since 2022, Lifthing has been involved in several metro projects across Paris, contributing to the wider mobility expansion program coordinated by Société des Grands Projets, which aims to accelerate urban connectivity in the Paris region. Each station welcomes thousands of passengers daily — and escalators play a crucial role in that flow.
One of the projects is located right next to the entrance of Disneyland Paris. That immediately added another dimension. During park opening hours, the station had to remain fully operational and safe for travelers. Our installation work? It took place at night.
Large Structures, Limited Space
Escalators are usually delivered in segments. These components are assembled on site before the complete escalator is moved and lifted into position. In other cases, individual sections are suspended separately and connected while hanging.
Simple? Rarely.
Reality often looks like this:
- Limited headroom
- Narrow corridors down to level -3
- Large spans with no predefined suspension points
- Architecturally creative designs
- Heavy components weighing up to 15 tons
And still, the escalator must be positioned with millimetric precision.
For some, these are obstacles.
For us, these are challenges built to fit us.
Engineering Comes First
Every installation begins long before the first bolt is tightened.
We engineer each project in detail.
Can the components pass through the building?
Which lifting points can safely be used?
Are custom support structures required?
How do we calculate loads and impact correctly?
Everything is drawn, calculated, and verified in advance. That preparation demands time, expertise, and experience — but it allows us to work efficiently and safely on site.
During execution, we use specialized equipment — often engineered specifically for the situation. Our pick & carry cranes are frequently deployed for these projects, alongside monorails, electric hoists, and custom lifting systems.
From unloading the components to assembling the segments and completing the full mechanical installation — including visible cladding — we manage the entire process.
A Team of Specialists
On site, our teams typically consist of four to six skilled technicians.
Depending on the number of escalators involved, installation can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
What makes these projects truly special is the combination of technical complexity and architectural ambition. Designers create impressive spaces — large openings with striking roof structures — but without obvious suspension possibilities.
That means we must rethink, redesign, and engineer solutions that don’t yet exist.
And that is exactly what makes us proud.
More Than Installation
These projects reinforce our specialization in escalator installation and position Lifthing as a trusted partner in complex infrastructure environments. They represent long-term collaboration, international references, and high-level engineering.
But above all, they are about people.
Technicians working at night so that passengers can travel safely during the day.
Preparation work that remains invisible — yet makes everything possible.
So next time you step onto an escalator in a Paris metro station, remember: behind that smooth movement lies tons of steel, months of preparation, and a team driven by precision and passion.
And chances are, we played a part in it.
