Are you going to spend a few days in Nantes, the famous Cité des Ducs? So you’ll want to visit the Ile Machines, whose Elephant is a real celebrity!
Nantes is a pretty town. For several years now, it has been home to the famous Machines de l’Ile, located on the banks of the Loire on the Ile de Nantes. Discover a unique universe, cross between imagination and technique. Giant insects, mechanical tree, carousel and a real-sized elephant: you will shift, daytime, into a fantastic world!
History of the Machines of the Ile de Nantes
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
The Ile Machines is an artistic project aimed at tourists. François Delarozière (artistic director, scenographer and director) and Pierre Orefice (a theatre producer and artistic director) are the instigators. Inspired by Jules Verne (of Nantes origin) and Léonard de Vinci, they think of their project that they are launching in 2003. This project takes place in parallel with the rehabilitation of the Ile de Nantes. They invest the old shipyards to build the machines and create a space in which visitors can discover each project, with the support of the urban community Nantes Métropole.
It is the company La Machine, initially specialized in the construction of machines for theatre decors, which is responsible for giving life to fantastic creatures lying on paper. The site opened in 2007 and received the special jury prize at the International Exhibition of Tourism in Paris.
Initially, the project included the construction of the Elephant, a branch of the Arbre aux Hérons, and the Carroussel des Mondes Marins. Since then, they have been joined by insects of all kinds! The Isle Machines now have international recognition.
What to see and do at the Ile Machines in Nantes?
The Ile Machines are therefore made up of several spaces and incredible creatures.
Elephant, national emblem
Photo credit: Guilhem Vellut via Flickr
No way to visit the Nantes Machines without seeing this incredible elephant. High as a four-storey house, it goes on a walk several times a day for the happiness of the little ones as big ones. He can then board up to fifty people, to survey the banks of the Loire. If you would like to take this walk on the back of a mechanical elephant, first take a look at the weather: it only comes out when conditions allow it!
La Galerie des machines : prototypes et atelier
During the visit to the Gallery, a machinist guides you and puts in action the various machines that are there. These are the prototypes of the creatures intended to populate, in particular the Hebrew Tree. Thus, a beautiful heron rises in the air, the giant spider is on his canvas while the ant is walking. You can also see the research carried out to design the Elephant. He sleeps in the nave, right next to the Gallery.
The workshop is visible on the other side of the nave. Glasses are installed throughout, and the terraces are more than seven metres high, which allows you to admire the constructions underway.
The Carrousel of the Marins Worlds
This incredible ride is installed a little further along the banks of the Loire. The theme of the sea was taken up early by the designers, the latter being very linked to the history of the country.
It consists of three levels. The first, represents the seabed and offers fourteen machines including a giant crab, an exploration equipment and a retro-propulsion calamar. The second level is called "In the abyss" and is occupied by six elements, suspended five meters above the first level. It is necessary to measure more than 1.35 meters to access it. The third and final level is the surface of the sea with its jellyfish, its boats and flying fish.
The Carrousel visits in two ways:
- in Discovery mode: you then have a commented and animated tour of the ride, but you cannot access the elements. This visit takes place on Tuesdays — Thursday — Friday and Wednesday morning, during the school period;
- forain mode: the visit is free, you can make one or more rides. This is possible on Wednesday afternoons (from 14 hours), weekends and during school holidays (all areas combined).
The prototype of a branch of the Tree to the herons
Photo credit: Flickr / Patrick Janicek
The Hebrew Tree project was launched in 2017. It will end in 2022, to open to the public in the quarry of Chantenay (on the other side of the Loire). This will therefore be a huge tree populated with multiple animals, such as a colibri, a lazy (visible currently in the gallery) or a group of geese. Prototypes are being produced. However, you can already try a branch, nature size, which was installed next to the nave!
Around the Machines de l’Ile
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Thomas Pajot
You can take a stroll along the Loire on Quai François Mitterrand, in the travel garden, or sit on the lawn. A book shop is accessible just under the branch of the tree to the herons. If you are hungry, you can go to the coffee of the branch or take a drink on the Nautilus. If you like simple and tasty cuisine as well as a friendly atmosphere, the Cantine du Voyage is for you. Open between April and November, this ephemeral space offers a unique formula.
How do I go to the Ile Machines in Nantes (transports, plans, visiting sense, access...)?
The Ile Machines are close to the center of the city, so it is extremely easy to access it!
By public transport
Tram—Line 1—Stop Shipyards
Chronobus — Line 5 — Prairie to Duke Stop
By bike
Bicloo Station 43 — “Ile Machines”
By car
A paid parking is located right in front of the nave.
For people with reduced mobility, a plan is available on the Machines website to indicate the places reserved for them.
Some measures have been taken for camper travellers, also explained on their site.
Schedules & Isle Machine Tariffs
The schedules of the Ile Machines
To visit the Ile Machines, check the opening hours. Apart from school holidays, the Ile Machines are closed on Monday. The times indicated are those of the ticket office, you can stay for another hour after it is closed.
November to early April: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (18 p.m. school holidays, weekends and holidays).
From April to early July, then from late August to late October: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (18 p.m. school holidays, weekends and holidays).
July and August: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The prices of the Ile Machines
Entrance for children under the age of four and accompanying a person with a disability is free (excluding Carrousel forain mode).
The reduced rate is for persons with disabilities, children and young people between the ages of four and seventeen, students and job seekers. A supporting document will be requested.
- The trip to elephant’s back
Full price : 8,50 €
Reduced price : 6,90 €
- The Gallery of Machines
Full price : 8,50 €
Reduced price : 6,90 €
- Carrousel des Mondes Marins — Discovery mode
Single rate: 6,90 €
- The Carrousel of the Marin Worlds — forain fashion
Visit with a tour
Full price : 8,50 €
Reduced price : 6,90 €
Special rate: 3 € for children from one to three years old and accompanying them with disabilities
Extra tour: 3 €
Tour without tour
Full price : 6,30 €
Reduced price : 5,30 €
Good to know.
- The gallery is forbidden to strollers.
- Tickets to access the gallery and to go to the Elephant are on sale online. If you want to make sure you don't queue too much and can make your visit, it is advisable to book before your arrival. The purchase for Carrousel tickets is made on site.
- Each ticket gives access to the terraces of the workshop and to the prototype branch of the Tree to the herons.
- If you have opted for a Nantes Pass, it gives you the right to benefits to visit the Ile Machines.
- The prototype branch of the Tree to the herons is the only part that cannot be accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- To avoid disillusionment, check on the website that the Elephant is active on the day you want to see it. It is sometimes resting a few days, to ensure maintenance.
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