Description:

When shipbuilding closed at Nantes in Loire-atlantique and moved down the river Loire to Saint Nazaire, it left an industrial void. The former shipyard on an island in the river Loire in the centre of Nantes is now the home of Les Machines de l'Ile: massive moving mythical beasties the most famous of which is the Great Elephant. The reservoir of skilled trades left behind when shipbuilding moved out has been redeployed to build these magnificent machines, inspired by Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci. Skills which would otherwise have withered are now being handed on via the workshops.

The Great Elephant

When the majestic Great Elephant goes for a walk it is like a cathedral of steel and wood taking a stroll. The elephant can carry 49 passengers on board within its various galleries and platforms. Inside the Great Elephant,the gear systems and hydraulics that power its movement can be seen. Visitors onboard the elephant are accompanied by an experienced machinist as a guide who will be happy to answer the most technical of queries. Sat on the back of the elephant, it's like being 4 storeys high on a moving house and there are superb views along the banks of the River Loire when the Great Elephant goes on parade.

The Gallery of Machines

Within the Gallery, the machinists of Les Machines de l'Ile bring to life the bestiary of machines, ably assisted by you, the public. There are animals from the depths of the oceans, sea monsters, amazing flying machines, boats (some rocked by a very realistic storm), a giant crab, reverse propulsion squid, sea serpent and so many more. The entire adventure of the construction of the machines is on display from initial sketches, prototype models and audio-visuals.

The Workshops

From two galleries 7.5 metres above the workshops you can see the various trades at work deploying their skills continuing construction of Marine Worlds which takes up part of the workshops and developing ever more wondrous projects. The ambitious aim of it all is eventually to construct a mindbogglingly huge merry-go-round, a vast whirlygig with at least four tiers of rides, the bottom ones being the ocean depths, through sea-going creatures, the surface of the sea and the skies above.


The Prototype of the Heron Tree

At the end of the visit to the workshops, you can promenade along some of the steel branches of this Prototype of the Heron Tree which affords excellent views across the river Loire to the terraces of the city of Nantes along its banks. It has to be remembered that the Heron Tree presently on site is but one element of what will be a future monumental machine. It is only one part of what will be the complete tree - one branch - and it is already of massive proportions.

Gift Shop & Café de la Branche

These are located under the Prototype Branch of the Heron Tree. The Café is a great place to sit and watch the Great Elephant go by.

General

Allow at least 90 minutes for visiting Gallery of Machines, Workshops & Heron Tree
For trips on the Great Elephant allow an additional 60-90 minutes.

Opening Hours:

From Saturday 12th to Friday 25th Feb.: 6 days a week

From Tuesday to Friday: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

 

From Saturday 26th Feb. to Sunday 13th Mar.: 6 days a week

From Tuesday to Sunday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

 

From Wednesday 16th Mar. to Friday 8th Apr.: 5 days a week

From Wednesday to Friday : 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

 

From Saturday 9th to Friday 22nd April: 6 days a week

From Tuesday to Friday: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

 

From Saturday 23rd Apr. to Sunday 8th May 6 days a week

From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm except 1st May

 

From Tuesday 10th May to Thursday 30th Jun :6 days a week

From Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

 

From Friday 1st July to Wednesday 31st Aug.: 7 days a week

From Monday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

 

Admission Prices: 2011 Prices not yet known. Group rates for 15 or more. Trip on Elephant bookable separately (pre-booking recommended in High Season)

Contact

Address:  Les Machines de l'Ile, Les Chantiers, Bd Léon Bureau, 44200 Nantes
Telephone: 08 10 12 12 25

Web:  www.lesmachines-nantes.fr