Les Machines de L'ile

The site is referred known as 'Les Machines de 'l'Ile' (literally, 'the machines of the island'), and it is located in the spot where the city's previous shipyards had been, on the border between Brittany and the Loire. Fans of engineering will be enthralled by this venue, conceived and designed by the artists Francois Delarozière and Pierre Orefice. 

Things to do at Les Machines De L'ile:

  • To help you grasp this realm of science, they've sprinkled a little bit of enchantment into it: 

The famous work of Jules Verne, such as Journey to the Center of the Earth and Around the World in Eighty Days, inspired the creation of this mechanical zoo, which was initially built to bring fresh life into the historic shipyards. Other attractions have been added, such as a large spider, an elephant, and the Marine Worlds Carousel, which features 27 interactive aquatic animals spread across three floors. Every one of these gadgets doubles up as a ride that customers can take advantage of. 


  • Find your motivation in the work of actual scientists who engage in experiments at the expense of their field: 

You can also look at the gallery, where designers and engineers are working hard to create new tools and projects. Because the entire creative process is on show, you can observe the machinists as they bring these incredible marvels to life, from the initial concepts to the finished products that are fully operational machines. 


  • As part of a traveling exhibition, some of the apparatus has been on display all over the world: 

Long Ma and another enormous spider named Kumo participated in a spectacle at the Beijing Olympic stadium in 2014. They will do it again this summer in Ottawa, Canada, to honor the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation. 


  • Feel the surge of excitement as you swing from the Huge Heron Tree:

The gigantic Heron Tree has a circle of 50 meters (164 feet) and a height of 35 meters (115 feet). The tree features 22 branches that guests can climb up on, replete with ants, spiders, and footbridges that will be accentuated with actual plants. Two giant herons will take flight above the tree, each carrying approximately 15 people in their respective baskets. Following their tour, visitors will be directed to the gift store by the tree's branches, which will hang down over the central area. 

  • imageDuration Required
    2 hours

Address of Les Machines de L'ile

Parc des Chantiers, Bd Léon Bureau, Nantes, France

Opening & Closing time of Les Machines de L'ile

  • Monday
    10:00-18:00
  • Tuesday
    10:00-18:00
  • Wednesday
    10:00-18:00
  • Thursday
    10:00-18:00
  • Friday
    10:00-18:00
  • Saturday
    10:00-19:00
  • Sunday
    10:00-19:00

read more

Explore More