“Une mini-grue” visited one of France’s oldest institutions recently, the Monnaie de Paris, to assist with the building’s big transformation.

The Monnaie de Paris is the official French mint, which was founded in 864 AD. The neoclassical 18^th century buildings on the banks of the River Seine include a museum and workshops that are still used today to create commemorative coins and decorative medals.

A 6 tonne capacity UNIC URW-706 mini crane was hired from official French UNIC dealers CTE Elevateurs to help on the mint’s “MétaLmorphose” project, which will create new space for temporary exhibitions, cultural events and a restaurant by Michelin starred chef Guy Savoy.

The mini spider crane was hired to lift building materials and remove a 2.8 tonne mini excavator out from a section of the building which is still to be renovated before the Monnaie de Paris reopens in 2014.

The 1670mm wide mini crane was ideal for reaching the restricted access area on this busy site. The UNIC URW-706’s flexible outriggers could be placed around obstacles and the crane’s boom was able to reach through the doorway to lift the excavator below.