Machines de l'Ile

The Machines de l'Ile occupy the former Dubigeon shipyards on the island in the Loire, and their premise is a workshop of imaginary machines in the manner of Jules Verne, who was born in Nantes, crossed with Leonardo's drawings. The Grand Elephant is twelve metres high, weighs around forty-eight tonnes, carries about fifty passengers on its back and walks at a slow pace along the quay, trumpeting and spraying water from its trunk. The Marine Worlds Carousel is a three-level ride of sea creatures visitors operate themselves. The gallery holds prototypes that are demonstrated and ridden during the day.

What you actually see

• The Grand Elephant - a twelve-metre walking machine carrying passengers.
• The Marine Worlds Carousel - three tiers of sea creatures riders work themselves.
• The gallery - working prototypes demonstrated by operators.
• The workshop - the build hall visible behind glass.

When to go

April to October for full operation; the site closes some Mondays and for maintenance periods in January. Elephant rides sell out and should be booked online in advance.

Honest expectations

Each element is a separate ticket and the elephant ride is short, around thirty minutes, with limited places that sell out days ahead in summer. Demonstrations are mostly in French. Queues are long.

Nearby

The Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne is across the river; Nantes centre is walkable.