The Riqueval Tunnel is a 5,670 metres (3.52 mi)-long tunnel on the St Quentin Canal, close to the commune of Bellicourt, in the department of Aisne, France. It connects Bellicourt with Bony. It was constructed as part of the St Quentin Canal between 1801 and 1810, on the orders of Napoleon.

Riqueval Tunnel
The south tunnel entrance
Overview
LocationBallicourt
Coordinates49°58′34″N 3°13′52″E / 49.975998°N 3.2311505°E / 49.975998; 3.2311505
StatusOpen
WaterwayCanal de Saint-Quentin
Start49°57′02″N 3°14′09″E / 49.95061°N 3.235851°E / 49.95061; 3.235851
End50°00′05″N 3°13′35″E / 50.001386°N 3.22645°E / 50.001386; 3.22645
Operation
Constructed1801-1810
Opened1810
OwnerGabarit Freycinet
Technical
Length5,670 metres (3.52 mi)
Boat-passableYes
Riqueval Tunnel electric tug in 1984

The tunnel remains in use, and can be traversed using a chain boat. Along with the Mauvages tunnel, on the Marne–Rhine Canal, it is one of the last locations in the world where a system of chain towing is still in operation.

It was the longest tunnel in the world until the construction of Biassa II tunnel, La Spezia, Italy.[citation needed]

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References

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  1. ^ Lermoyez, M. (1863). "Sur le touage des bateaux dans les souterrains du Canal de Saint-Quentin". Annales des ponts et chaussées (in French). VI. Paris: 323–373.
  2. ^ Oskar Teubert: Die Binnenschiffahrt – Ein Handbuch für alle Beteiligten, Band 2, Verlag Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig 1918, 4. Teil, Abschnitt III., Schiffszug, 4. Das Schleppen an der Kette oder am Seil, Seite 268–287
  3. ^ "Le Touage de Riqueval" (in French). Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  4. ^ amerikanischer Ehrenfriedhof Bellicourt Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ britischer Ehrenfriedhof Bellicourt Archived 2013-12-14 at the Wayback Machine
Preceded by Longest tunnel
1810–1864
Succeeded by