The Machines de l'île: emblem of the city

The Nave of the Machines de l'Île wasn't always home to scrap metal animals. It was originally the Chantiers Dubigeon, a former Nantes shipbuilding company founded in 1760 and closed in 1987. In the 18th century, Nantes was France's leading commercial port, a gloomy glory partly due to the "Triangular Trade" and the "slave trade" that made the shipowners prosper. After converting to submarine construction during the Second World War, the Dubigeon shipyards ceased all activity in 1987. The local authority then set about preserving the memory of shipbuilding in Nantes, notably by buying back one of the shipyard's impressive yellow cranes, which now stands on the Ile de Nantes as a symbol and witness to the past.

In the early 2000s, as part of the urban renewal of the Île de Nantes, François Delarozière, creator of some of the machines used in the shows put on by the Royal de Luxe company, which has been working in Nantes since the 1990s, and Pierre Orefice of the Manaüs associations, approached the city with a proposal to develop a tourist project on the island: "Les Machines de l'île", which has now become the city's flagship attraction.

Ride the giant elephant

He's the star of the show! Having once roamed the streets of Nantes with the Royal Deluxe street theatre company, the elephant has now taken up residence in the Nave and invites 50 passengers to board its gondolas for 30-minute rides along the shipyards. You'll be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Loire on board the majestic pachyderm - an unforgettable experience!

Note that the elephant comes out 3 or 4 times a day. The ticket office is open continuously on site, but you can also book your tickets online.

👉 Accessibility: Not all trips are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. To make a specific reservation, call 0810 12 12 25.

The Gallery of Machines

Let yourself be carried away by the astonishing creatures of the Galerie des Machines and meet the butterflies, hummingbirds, caterpillars and other spiders of this metallic bestiary, with which you can interact and even fly away... You'll be amazed! This immersive, fun tour is punctuated by contributions from the machinists, who share the secrets of these ingenious machines with visitors.

👉 Please note that the elephant rides and access to the Galerie des Machines and the Carroussel are subject to weather conditions and may be closed in the event of bad weather.

The marine worlds carousel

What could be more natural in the town where the famous author Jules Verne was born than to be able to plunge "twenty thousand leagues under the sea"? Just a few metres from the Galerie des Machines, stands proudly what is perhaps one of the most beautiful rides in France.

At 25 metres high and made up of 3 levels - the abyss, the seabed and the water's surface - the Carrousel of the Marine Worlds will plunge your children into the fantastic world of the oceans, populated by giant squids, pirate ships and other flying fish... It's hard not to fall back into childhood when you see these fascinating aquatic creatures made of wood and steel. All you want to do is dive in!

👉 Please note: Access to the Carrousel des Mondes Marins alone is authorised for 13-year-olds and over.