Transport, handling, and installation of historic sarcophagi at the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse
In November 2024, Bovis Fine Art Toulouse carried out an exceptional operation: the transport and handling of three 4th-century sarcophagi back to their historic location, the Enfeu des Comtes of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse.
A unique service combining fine art transport expertise with technical know-how to help preserve the historic heritage of Occitanie.
Three sarcophagi from Late Antiquity, reused in the Middle Ages
These sarcophagi, carved in the 4th century, were repurposed in the 11th century for the burial of members of Toulouse’s comital family. Rare witnesses to the city’s religious and political history, they required the utmost care during handling and reinstatement in the building.
A high-precision Fine Art service
Meticulous preparation in the restoration workshop
The three sarcophagi were prepared and placed on platforms in a specialist restoration workshop in Toulouse. This step ensured their stability and safety prior to any movement.
Secure transport in a Fine Art truck
The transfer between the workshop and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin was carried out in a Bovis Fine Art vehicle specially equipped with:
- Air-cushion suspension
- Hygrometric control
- Securing systems adapted for heavy and fragile loads
Unloading with a heavy-duty tail lift
Upon arrival, the high-capacity tail lift allowed for controlled unloading, avoiding any mechanical stress on the sarcophagi.
Handling in a confined space
Installation in the Enfeu des Comtes required the use of a truck-mounted crane, perfectly suited to heavy handling in restricted spaces.
Our teams coordinated every movement to overcome architectural constraints and reposition the sarcophagi in their historic niche.
The Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Enfeu des Comtes
Thanks to this operation, the three sarcophagi have regained their place in the Enfeu des Comtes, located on the south façade of the transept of the basilica, right next to the famous Porte des Comtes.
This reinstatement enhances a major element of Toulouse’s heritage.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela, the Basilica of Saint-Sernin is one of the largest Romanesque buildings in Europe.
On its southern façade, the Enfeu des Comtes is a funerary niche adjoining the Porte des Comtes. It houses several marble sarcophagi which, in the Middle Ages, contained the remains of prominent members of the comital dynasty.
A place of memory and history, it reflects Toulouse’s central role in medieval politics and religion.
Bovis Fine Art Toulouse: expert in the transport and handling of works of art in Occitanie
Based in the heart of Occitanie, Bovis Fine Art Toulouse supports museums, institutions, galleries, and private collectors with:
- Custom packing (museum crates, isothermal crates, presentation cases)
- Secure national and international transport
- Handling of monumental artworks
- Installation and hanging for exhibitions
- Climate-controlled storage
- Anoxia treatment for pest eradication
Our teams combine technical expertise, respect for artworks, and responsiveness for all your art transport and heritage preservation projects.
