The elephant of Nantes (Machines de l’île) : opinion + photos

Theelephant of Nantes has become the new emblem of the city and is a source of wonder for young and old. Majestic in its movements, impressive in its size, technically incredible, it is a must for any stay in Nantes.

With the numerous wooden and iron animals that populate the island's machines, you will go on a wonderful journey into the fantastic universe of Jules Verne , who would have, for the occasion, associated himself with the know-how of Leonardo da Vinci.

Back in photos on this attraction, and all our practical advice to succeed in your turn, your visit!

Why visit the Elephant of Nantes (Machines de l'île)?

Is the elephant of Nantes (Machines de l'île) worth it? Our opinion:

Really unique in France (and maybe even in the world), the elephant and the machines of the Island are really to see during your stay in Nantes:

• For the creativity of the inventors of the machines, François Delarozière and Pierre Oréfice. It took quite a bit of madness for them to imagine that an elephant made of wood and metal could attract thousands of visitors every year.
• For the technical prowess, the result of an exceptional manual and conceptual know-how, worthy of the genius Leonardo da Vinci. You will be able to see the teams of the Machine Company at work in the Construction Workshop during your visit.
• For the completely crazy universe of these machines borrowing largely from the Nantes author Jules Verne, from the creatures of 20,000 leagues under the sea to the animals of the mysterious island.
• For the childlike wonder that we all find in front of these beautiful inventions.

Video of the elephant of Nantes: our experience

Why is the elephant of Nantes (Machines de l'île) famous?

When Nantes turns to culture

At the end of the 1980s, Nantes was in crisis. Theport activity that had made its reputation for nearly 5 centuries, moves to Saint-Nazaire, much easier to access than the ports within Nantes. The shipyardsclosed their doors for good in 1987. The city finds itself in search of a new identity and an economic engine, with industrial wastelands as far as the eye can see.

The new municipal team that came to power in 1988 chose culture and what we would soon call the creative industries to attract more and more inhabitants attracted by affordable housing (at the time) and by the proximity of the sea.

Nantes and the street theater

In 1989, Nantes welcomed the "Royal de Luxe" Company, specialized in street theater. It provides the means to match the ambitions of its founder and author, Jean-Luc Gourcoult, its artistic director, François Delarozière and Pierre Oréfice, the producer of the shows.

We owe them in particular the saga of the Giants, giant puppets going up to 9,5 meters in height (a building of three floors), which walked through various cities of the world, of which Nantes and Le Havre.

As inhabitants of Le Havre, we can only testify of thepopular enthusiasm around these Unidentified Cultural Objects that blocked the traffic of a city for a week without triggering the slightest impatience of the motorists, nor blow of horn. Thousands of spectators crowded along its route and witnessed the slightest of these gestures (the awakening, the arrival on a raft...) operated by human manipulators who sweated blood and water to activate this beautiful mechanism.

The creation of the Machines de l'Ile

In 2005, Pierre Orefice and François Delarozière left Royal de Luxe for the Elephant and the Machines de l'île. The ambition is to propose perennial machines in the former naval halls (large industrial halls used for shipbuilding) of the Dubigeon shipyards, at the tip of the island, with a double cultural and tourist approach.

Largely supported by the city of Nantes, the project was launched in 2007 and was an immediate success, with more than 288,000 visitors during its first year of operation. In 2019, the last pre-covid year, no less than 738,000 people visit the island's machines!

When the elephant becomes the symbol of Nantes

The creation of the elephant coincides with the renewal of Nantes , which began in the early 1990s, when the city made a successful economic turnaround: while it had just over 240,000 inhabitants in 1982, it now has more than 319,000.

Installed on the old shipyard, inspired by the books of the most famous author from Nantes, Jules Verne, calling upon the historical know-how of iron and wood work, calling upon creativity and by definition unique the world, the elephant could only become the symbol of Nantes at the beginning of the XXIst century.^e century!

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Practical advice and map : The elephant of Nantes (Machines de l'île)

Where is L'éléphant de Nantes (Machines de l'île)

• The elephant and the machines of the island are installed at the end of the island of Nantes, a few minutes away from the historic city center on foot.
• Driving time from Tours: 2h20
• Driving time from Angers: 1h
• Driving time from Blois: 3h
• Driving time from Orléans: 3h40

The map

How to get there

To get to Nantes, you will be spoiled for choice, as the city has an international airport and a TGV station (18 return trips per day with Paris, for an average journey time of 2.5 hours).

• See all the lines that serve Nantes airport
• Book your private transportation from Nantes airport.
• See all trains now.

To get to the machines, there again, a range of possibilities:

• By foot: we are only a few minutes from downtown Nantes. The crossing of the Loire and the arrival on the machines are rather pleasant.
• By public transport: the city of Nantes has a highly developed and fast network (tramway, exclusive right-of-way buses, etc.). For the tramway, you will have to stop at "Chantier naval" served by the T1 and by Chronobus, take the C5 and get off at "Prairie du Duc").

• By bike: the weather is (very) changeable in Nantes, but the city is flat here. Don't hesitate to opt for a free access bike (Bicloo)!
• By car: although the city is very congested, access to the Machines de l'île by car is still possible. Crossing the Loire River to reach the Ile de Nantes can sometimes be difficult.

By opting for a city pass, you will have unlimited access to the city's well-developed public transport network and to 50 free services (museums, visits, cruises, etc.). We strongly recommend that you buy it in advance to avoid wasting time on site and waiting in line. See the conditions and book your City pass.

Parking

To park, opt for the Parking des Machines, located, as its name indicates, in the immediate vicinity of the Elephant and the machines of the island. It is a high-level paid parking lot, with half levels and a rather strange traffic direction. Be careful when parking and allow 15 minutes to park and return to the entrance of the machines (to anticipate not to miss the boarding of the Elephant trip).

This site has a bicycle parking.

Best time to visit L'éléphant de Nantes (Machines de l'île)

As mentioned earlier, the Elephant and the machines on the island are a huge success year after year. In July and August, there is little hope for a quiet visit. In the same way, avoid, as much as possible, visits on weekends, as the locals will add to the tourists.

We recommend that you aim for the end of the day (after 4pm), as the park closes at 8pm in July and August.

To attend the Elephant ride, there is plenty of space along the way, no fear on that side. However, if you want to go on board, the number of seats being limited to 52, you will have to book 48 hours in advance and even several weeks before your visit, your trip on board the Great Elephant.

How long to visit the elephant of Nantes (Machines de l'île) and main difficulties.

This will depend on the number of people queuing at different stages of the tour, but we recommend that you block out a 2-3 hour slot, especially if you want to do the elephant ride.

The main difficulties were the stairs to access the terraces of the Machine Shop and the stairs to board the elephant.

As the square is a former industrial site, there are bumpy spots and railroad tracks to watch closely to avoid any falls.

The site has toilets.

Advice on how to visit

Time 1 - The Elephant (45 min)

The highlight of the visit is the trip in the Big Elephant through the park of the former Atlantic shipyards. It takes 30 minutes if you are lucky enough to get on board and 1 hour 30 minutes if you accompany it on foot throughout its journey (little interest in following the whole journey, but it's up to you).

Start by picking up your tickets for the Gallery of Machinery and, if you haven't reserved your seat before, try to get a seat on one of the upcoming Elephant departures. But when we know that it is recommended to book your Elephant trip several weeks in advance and at least 48 hours in advanceyou are likely to be disappointed (you should have discovered our blog earlier!!!). However, some places are sold out on the day, so you still have a chance!

We advise you to start with this trip (30 minutes on board and 15 minutes on foot) which will give you a glimpse of the ingenuity of the Elephant's designers and will transport you into their world. Experience it by walking alongside and on board, you won't see the same things at all.

Attention, there are 3 possible boarding areas for the trip (from the naves, in front of the carousel, behind the shipyard management building). Allow 5 to 10 minutes to connect these different points. Check your ticket and anticipate, there will be no second chance!

Time 2 - Gallery of machines (1h)

Then head to the Gallery of Machines where you will have plenty of time to admire up close, many small creatures, each more charming than the next. The highlight of this part is the flight of the Heron whose flight is to be watched closely.

You can then go to the footbridge of the Workshop which will allow you to see (from above) the work in progress of these brilliant craftsmen (with a small explanatory film of 15' to see more closely and better know the history of the Elephant and the Machines of the island).

You will finish this time 2 with the prototype of a branch of theHeron Tree, the new crazy project that is currently circulating in the heads of the Elephant inventors.

Time 3 - The carousel of marine worlds (45 min)

Back to childhood guaranteed in this brilliant ride that will take you on 3 levels, from the surface of the earth to 20 000 leagues under the sea... A change of scenery guaranteed!

You will need to purchase your tickets again before entering the ride.

The elephant of Nantes (Machines de l'île) with children

The Nantes Elephant is obviously suitable for children and you should have no trouble exciting them whether they are exploring the gallery or walking with the elephant. Once again, it is possible that you will fall back into childhood during this visit! It remains to be seen who will keep the adults in the end...

Schedules and prices

Rates:

• Full adult: 8,50
• 4-17 years old: 6,70€.
• - from 4 years old: free of charge
• Family - either 1 adult and 4 youths (4-17 years old), or 2 adults and 3 youths (4-17 years old): from 30,20 to 31,80 €.

Check the latest prices/times on the official website

By opting for a city pass, you will have unlimited access to the gallery of machines and the Carrousel of the Marine Worlds. We strongly recommend that you buy it in advance to avoid wasting time on site and waiting in line. See the conditions and book your City pass.

Guided tours

No guided tours for the machines on the island, but machinists can be present at different times during your visits to explain how these funny little creatures work.

Catering

There is no shortage of restaurants in the area :

• The Café de la branche just in front of the nave for a light and classic meal.
• On the other side of the street you will find the Bioburger of Nantes, which offers you good burgers made with organic products, without GMO and without frozen products.
• If you want something a little more sophisticated, opt for the 1, located on the quays of the Loire, 100m from the entrance of the machines. One of the gastronomic restaurants that has symbolized the revival of the city and that offers a creative cuisine that attempts the fusion of 4 continents.
• We are not far from downtown and at the end of this article you will find our top 3 best restaurants to eat in Nantes.

Finally, if the weather is good, you can always have a picnic on the Terrace of the Winds located not far from the Carrousel of the Marine Worlds.

Plan of the visit

The secrets of the Great Elephant of Nantes

Why an elephant

The elephant is inspired by Jules Verne's novel "La Maison à vapeur", published in 1880. In the middle of the railroad revolution, Jules Verne invented an extraordinary vehicle for the Rajah of Bhutan. Composed of a gigantic steam elephant pulling 2 comfortable cars, the set is called "Steam House".

If you visit, as we did, the Jules Verne Museum, you will see that trains were, after boats, Jules Verne's favorite means of locomotion. One thinks in particular of his mythical lunar train in his novel From the Earth to the Moon.

The Nantes elephant in figures

• Dimension: 12 meters high (a 4-story building), 8 meters wide and 21 meters long
• Capacity : 52 places
• Travel speed: 1 to 3 km/h (while an elephant in the savannah can reach speeds of over 25 km/h)
• Weight: 48.4 tons (compared to an average of 7 tons for an adult elephant)
• The propulsion of the elephant: hybrid engine (since 2017) with 450 horsepower!!!

The Elephant of Nantes how it works

Imagine an elephant skeleton like the ones we can see in natural history museums (if you go to the one in Nantes, you can see a splendid whale skeleton, but we digress...).

Each of the metallic bones of the Elephant is thus connected to the next one by an axis which allows lateral and/or vertical movements. Its axes are set in motion by cylinders, a large piece of metal creating this linear movement.

When you say it like that, it may seem simple enough, it looks like Meccano. Except that for certain movements, notably when you see the Elephant raise its head and its trunk by moving its neck naturally, it is not less than 23 tons that must be moved at once!

To carry out this Herculean task, it has a total of 62 cylinders (46 hydraulic, 6 pneumatic and 10 gas). The 46 hydraulic cylinders are irrigated by 2500 liters of oil which can circulate at a rate of more than 1000 liters/minute! The Elephant should not be caught with arthritis and end up on sick leave for musculoskeletal disorders!

The trunk alone has 21 cylinders and more than 300 meters of hoses to feed them.

The neural, blood and synovial circuit of our friendly giant is 8 km long.

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What kind of wood is the Great Elephant of Nantes made of?

• The elephant skin is made of tulipwood and basswood.
• The tusks of the elephant are made of oak.
• The floor will be in Siberian larch.

The elephant ride: the routes

The elephant goes out several times a day on its long journey, and you may be lucky enough to be one of its 52 passengers. You will have to choose 1 of the 3 walking routes:

• Route 1: you embark on the naves that house the elephant and the gallery of machines, you cross the esplanade of the hull tracers, before reaching your final destination the carousel of the marine worlds.
• Route 2: you embark on the carousel of the marine worlds, walk through the park of the shipyards and approach the Loire River, before disembarking behind the historical building of the shipyards.
• Route 3: You embark at the footbridge behind the historic building, walk along the esplanade of the riveters before reaching the naves, home port of the Elephant.

Each tour lasts about 30 minutes and you will ride 250 meters on the back of an elephant. If you have the choice, prefer route 1 to enjoy the splendid exit of the Nave.

The elephant's journey: the onboard experience

After climbing a steep spiral staircase, you are on board the elephant. Let's go for an adventure!

Once on the upper terrace, you can see the details of the joints of the head and especially of its ears and trunk.

The Elephant shakes off and you get a great view as you exit the aisles if you are on track 1.

You can sit comfortably on the terrace with a 360 degree view and stroll around the construction site. You observe these small human beings at the bottom of the hill who are moving away in front of the majestic pachyderm.

Take advantage of your trip to go down to the interior lounge, with its windows and balconies, observing the animal's entrailsas you go.

The mechanical noises give rhythm to the animal's steps. Subjugating...

You have arrived at the Carrousel pier, it is unfortunately time to get off.

The Elephant's Journey: the ground experience

Every time the Elephant comes out, it is a small event that animates the square in front of the naves and enchants young and old. Even if the on-board experience is interesting, the best place to admire the animal remains the ground.

You can see all the ingenuity of its creators to make the movement of this giant of wood and steel realistic. It is a real choreography perfectly mastered and executed.

Like us, you will feel pity when the animal looks at you with its quiet and sovereign little eye.

And since the Elephant is playful, as everyone knows, it is possible that it will have fun refreshing you with its trunk. Even if he allows himself to be photographed, it is worth remembering who is the Master of the esplanade.

The fantastic universe of the gallery of the machines of the island

The bestiary of Jules Verne

Throughout his literary series, the "Extraordinary Journeys", Jules Verne depicts the whole world in the form of a novel that he wants to be "geographical and scientific". However, he will not hesitate to use his fertile imagination to re-enchant the world.

We are in the middle of the ^19th century, the golden age of painters and naturalist adventurers (Charles Alexandre Lesueur, Jean Jacques Audubon...) who brought back very fine paintings of the animals they met during their expedition in the Southern land and in the South Seas. Jules Verne himself will make many voyages aboard his 3 ships (named Saint Michel I, II and III).

In the course of his works, we will come across monsters with bird beaks and mollusc bodies, deaf vipers with forked tails... a bestiary almost as rich as that of Jean De La Fontaine!

In any case, plenty to inspire the creators of the machines on the island...

The bestiary of the machines of the Island

The gallery of machines is populated with numerous iron and wooden animals that you will discover during your stroll.

Do not hesitate to look under the leaves or behind the trunks, they like to hide.

From the butterfly tree to hummingbirds to a sloth, there is plenty to marvel at.

But also learn, the functioning of some of the fantastic animals being detailed or explained by the company's machinists. This gallery is, in a way, the R&D laboratory of the island's machine company.

Flight of the heron over a nest of machines

Depending on the time of your visit, you may be lucky enough to witness a heron flight. This species of birds are wading birds with an S-shaped neck and a long yellow-orange beak.

The version of the machines on the island is very realistic and will embark up to 2 passengers chosen among the public during its flight, in addition to the 2 machinists who guide it.

The heron measures 3.5m high in the boarding position (neck and legs folded) for a wingspan when deployed of nearly 8 meters.

The Machine company has also built a giant version of the heron, with a 16.5-meter wingspan and seating for 21 people, which is expected to make its first flight in the spring of 2023.

The terraces of the Workshop: the secrets of the construction of the giants

Discovering a unique know-how

On leaving the gallery, head for the Atelier just across the street. After a few steps, you will reach a large terrace located at 7.5 meters high. Below, you can see the machine builders at work. A real hive of activity, we work with wood and metal.

A14-minute film is shown in a small room adjacent to the terrace retracing the history of the Elephant and the Machines de l'Ile.

This is a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity in the service of wonder and culture. Photography is forbidden to preserve the company's manufacturing secrets .

The prototype of a branch of the heron tree

For several years, the Machines de l'île teams have been working on a project to build a monumental tree 35 meters high and 55 meters wide, capable of accommodating 450 people.

When you leave the workshop, you will be able to walk on a prototype of the 22 branches that are planned for this heron tree.

The financing is not yet finalized, but the company is not desperate to succeed in this project.

The carousel of marine worlds:

Jules Verne and the sea

Born in 1828 in Nantes, the writer's childhood was bathed in themaritime world of the city and by the stories of his mother, from a Nantes family of sailors and shipowners.

This closeness to the sea will be found in all his works. Indeed, few novels do not include at least one maritime scene, which he sometimes sets in the Pacific (Captain Grant's Children), in the Norwegian fjords (A Lottery Ticket) or in the Mediterranean or the Black Sea.

One of his most famous novels, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (published in installments from 1869 to 1870 and the second most translated book after the Bible!), will see his 4 heroes travel the oceans aboard the submarine the Nautilus.

The Carrousel of the Marine Worlds in figures

• Height: 25 meters
• Diameter: 22 meters
• Number of creatures and other vehicles: 36
• Number of seats on the carousel: 85
• 3 levels

The world of the Carousel of the Marine Worlds

The carousel takes you on a slow ascent from the depths to the surface of the sea on 3 levels:

• At the bottom, you move around the sea floor in the company of a giant spider crab by boarding one of the fantastic exploration machines at your disposal (we loved the retropulsion squid).

• 5 meters higher, you evolve in the abysses, in which you will meet a manta ray and a pirate fish.

• At the top of the ride, you are on the surface of the sea and can take a seat on one of the proposed means of navigation, from the classic storm boat, to the most adventurous flying fish.

The carousel: the proposed experience

You can either be satisfied with visiting the 3 floors of the carousel, or opt for the visit and 1 ride. Be careful, the tickets are not the same and you will have to make your choice before entering.

The visit of the carousel is free during school vacations, guided by one of the machinists outside school vacations.

The ride lasts 3'40 minutes. During busy periods, you will not be able to take more than one ride. For the nostalgic, there is unfortunately no "pompom" that gives the tour a free ride...

The tour is fun, but the most exciting part is to admire these iron and wood monsters, extremely well thought and realized. Some of them are really striking and you almost expect to see them come to life!

Our top 3 places to stay in Nantes

Sozo Hotel

Just a stone's throw from Nantes' magnificent Jardin des Plantes, sleep in an authentic ^19th century church converted into a 4-star hotel. Sleeping under the stone vaults, but in a resolutely design decoration, this is what we liked at the Sozo hotel!

• Return in photos on our night at the Sozo hotel
• Check availability and prices of the Sozo Hotel

Radisson Blu Hotel

Walking through the "salle des pas perdus" and having breakfast in the former courtroom is the experience offered by the Radisson Blu Hotel, located in an impressive neoclassical building that used to house the courthouse.

• Back in photos on our night at the Blu Radisson Nantes
• See availability and prices of the Blu Radisson Nantes

Maison du Monde Hotel & Suites

When a great name in French interior design gets passionate about the hotel business, it gives a hotel with a warm and subdued atmosphere. In addition, it is ideally located, between Place Graslin and the Passage Pommeraye!

• Back to our night at the Maisons du Monde hotel in pictures
• See the availability and prices of the Maisons du Monde hotel

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And to learn more:

our complete selection of 12 hotels where to sleep in Nantes

Our top 3 places to eat in Nantes

L'Aménité - best restaurant downtown

In one of the small pedestrian streets of the Bouffay district, not far from the castle, you will find what is, for us, one of the best restaurants in the city center, l'aménité. In a cosy-chic atmosphere, the chef Richard Cornet masters perfectly the textures and cooking temperatures to offer you a beautiful culinary moment. This former trader and psychotherapist did well to reconvert to cooking! Discover our detailed review and photos of the restaurant l'aménité

Sugar Blue - best healthy breakfast

If, like us, you love the atmosphere of Amsterdam's brown cafes, stop in for a light and healthy lunch at Sugar Blue. Here, everything is ultra-fresh and really greedy. Located not far from the famous Place Royale, it is a place that is full of energy and ultra-convivial. Our favorite lunchtime canteen! See the news of the restaurant

Le Manoir de la Regate - Best Starred

20 minutes from the city center, in a preserved natural setting along the Erdre River, a small 19th century manor house offers you a culinary journey to the heart of the wonders of the Loire and its banks: river fish, but also herbs, flowers, vegetables... You won't know where to put your taste buds! Really exceptional. Discover our detailed review and photos of the restaurant Le Manoir de la Régate.

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And to learn more:

our complete selection of 15 restaurants where to eat in Nantes

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