Les Machines de l’Île

Take your place in this larger-than-life world!

In Nantes, it's perfectly normal to come across a giant elephant and an oversized bird!

An extraordinary artistic project

Just thirty minutes by bike, tram or bus from your hotel in Saint-Herblain, the Machines project has transformed the Ile de Nantes. On the site of the city's former shipyards, the machinists are bringing their creations to life. It's just a short step from drawing to reality.

This immersive journey is inspired by the world of Jules Vernes. In just a few years, the project has become an attraction in its own right in Nantes, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

Much more than just an idea put into practice, the machines on the island are a real technological and artistic feat. They have brought a whole district of Nantes back to life. Young and old alike love strolling through this romantic universe.

 

Unique spaces to discover

The machines on the Ile de Nantes are divided into 4 main activities.


The Galerie des machines

Enter the machine laboratory. A visit to the workshop will allow you to discover the history of the creatures from the authors' minds to the final creations.

The latest invention is the Butterfly Swarm, inspired by the Mexican Lepidoptera. It comes to life alongside the Heron Tree, the Giant Ant and the Sloth.
The Great Elephant

You can climb aboard a giant elephant on the Ile de Nantes. Each time, 50 lucky people are allowed to embark on a surprising itinerary. Take a closer look at the animal's mechanisms and gears, while enjoying the breathtaking view as if you were on the 4th floor of a building.


The Carrousel of Marine Worlds

Opposite the Jules Verne Museum, this 360-degree theatre lets you discover the sea in all its forms. Almost 25 metres high and 22 metres in diameter, three merry-go-rounds rotate like a large pièce montée.

On each level, the rotating stages reveal unique animations.


The workshop terraces

At a height of nearly 8 metres, you can watch the masterful work of the machine builders on the Ile de Nantes. Follow the minute movements of the professionals who bring these wood and steel creatures to life.

 

Practical information

• 📍 Address: Parc des Chantiers, Boulevard Léon Bureau, 44 200 Nantes
•  🚋 Access: tramway line 1, Chantiers Navals stop