The Dragon of Calais: Accoya in the service of the imagination

The Dragon of Calais is a monumental mechanical work conceived by François Delaroziere and built by Compagnie La Machine. After emerging from the waves in a public performance, this giant mechanical dragon took up residence on the Calais seafront, of which it has become a living emblem. Operated by 17 machinists and accompanied by a band, it carries up to 50 passengers on each journey through the town. Accoya wood was chosen for its resistance to moisture and salt-laden coastal wind, its structural stability, ideal for mechanical joints and moving parts, its light weight and its FSC certified origin. Thanks to acetylation technology, the wood keeps its shape and its performance despite permanent exposure to the elements, making it possible to combine complex mechanics with an organic appearance. An artistic and technical feat that illustrates the potential of Accoya in contemporary urban creation.