Les Machines de l'île

Les Machines de l'île is a fantastical workshop and exhibition space on the Île de Nantes, where imagination meets engineering. Inspired by the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, this unique attraction brings mechanical creatures to life. The centerpiece is the Grand Elephant, a 12-meter-tall, 48-ton behemoth made of wood and steel that walks, trumpets, and sprays water as it carries up to 50 passengers on a 30-minute ride around the site. Inside the Galerie des Machines, you'll find a menagerie of other kinetic wonders, including a giant heron, a spider, and a carousel of sea creatures. Visitors can also watch artisans at work in the workshop, where new machines are constantly being built. It's a place of childlike wonder and technical brilliance, perfect for families and anyone with a sense of adventure.

Don't miss

• Ride the Grand Elephant as it lumbers around the site
• Explore the Galerie des Machines with its giant mechanical animals
• Watch artisans build new creations in the workshop
• Ride the Carrousel des Mondes Marins, a three-level carousel of sea creatures
• Visit the Branch of the Heron, a giant mechanical bird you can control

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Les Machines de l'île

Cheapest way inNantes City Self-Guided Walking Tour with an APP4.7★ · 19 travelers2–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$10 per personSee dates →Most bookedOutdoor escape game | Jules Verne - The extraordinary challenge4.1★ · 22 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$17 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleNantes Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour)4.3★ · 12 travelers2–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$55 per personSee dates →