Les Machines de l'Île & Le Grand Éléphant, Nantes
On the Île de Nantes, in the former shipyard sheds where ocean liners were once fitted out, a team of visionary artist-engineers has built a world of mechanical creatures straight from the imagination of Jules Verne — who was born in Nantes in 1828. The centrepiece is Le Grand Éléphant, a 12-metre-tall, 48-tonne walking mechanical elephant that carries 49 passengers through the streets and sprays
Le Grand Éléphant
Le Grand Éléphant is not a theme-park gimmick. It is a genuine feat of engineering — a steel-and-wood sculpture that moves with eerie biological grace, its trunk swinging, its ears fanning, its legs lifting and placing with the slow deliberation of a real animal. Rides last about 45 minutes and take you around the Île de Nantes, with the elephant pausing to spray jets of water over delighted passengers and bystanders.
The elephant was designed by François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice of the La Machine company, the same group behind the giant mechanical spider that crawled through Liverpool during the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations. This is serious, internationally recognised public art.
The Galerie des Machines
Inside the old shipyard building, the Galerie des Machines houses a rotating carousel of extraordinary creatures — a giant heron you can ride, a deep-sea fish the size of a bus, a mechanical ant colony — all built from wood, leather and brass in the Verne-meets-Méliès aesthetic the company has made its own. A mezzanine workshop lets you watch craftspeople building the next generation of machines in real time.
The current long-term project, visible in the workshop, is the Arbre aux Hérons — a 35-metre mechanical tree with a 50-metre wingspan of flying herons, planned to become a permanent installation on the Île de Nantes. Following its construction is itself part of the attraction.
Visiting Practically
Les Machines de l'Île is located in the former Dubigeon shipyard halls on the Île de Nantes, a 15-minute walk from the city centre or a short ride on tram line 1 (stop: Chantiers Navals). The site is open most of the year but hours vary significantly by season — always check the official website before visiting.
Elephant ride tickets sell out on busy days, especially in summer. Book online as soon as you know your travel dates. The Galerie alone is worth visiting even if elephant rides are full.
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