Activity
Les Machines de l’île
Nantes · Loire-Atlantique
On the Île de Nantes, Les Machines de l’île: the Machine Gallery, the Marine Worlds Carousel and the Great Elephant, under maintenance until the end of February 2027.
- Suggested time
- 2 to 3 hours
- Type of place
- Cultural site and giant machines
- Atmosphere
- Imaginative and spectacular.
- Getting there
- Île de Nantes; tram line 1, Chantiers navals stop. Check opening times, bookings and any age limits with the site before you come.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 9/10
- As a couple
- 7/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 6/10
- With a dog
- 2/10
- Reduced mobility
- 4/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
Les Machines de l’île, on the Île de Nantes, are a world of giant machines, between art, mechanics and imagination. The Galerie des Machines (Machine Gallery) is a living place where you discover the creatures of this world. The Grand Éléphant (Great Elephant), a moving piece of architecture that emerges from a steel cathedral, takes passengers for a walk. On the banks of the Loire, facing the Jules Verne museum, the Carrousel des Mondes Marins (Marine Worlds Carousel) seems to rise from the belly of the island. Please note: because of maintenance, the Great Elephant does not run from Monday 2 November 2026 to Sunday 28 February 2027. Opening times vary with the season, with evening openings; tram line 1, Chantiers navals stop, is the easiest way to get there.
What you will see
- The Machine Gallery
- The Great Elephant (maintenance from 2 November 2026 to 28 February 2027)
- The Marine Worlds Carousel
- Tram line 1, Chantiers navals stop
Tips on the spot
- Check the opening times for the day: they vary with the season.
- In extreme heat or bad weather, the sites may close at the last minute.
- Come by tram: line 1, Chantiers navals stop.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get there?
By tram, line 1, Chantiers navals stop.
What is there to see?
The Machine Gallery, the Great Elephant and the Marine Worlds Carousel.
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Read in the journal
- ChristmasWhat to do in Nantes during the Christmas holidaysLe Voyage en hiver, the Christmas market on Place Royale, the Château des ducs, the Machines de l’île and the Passage Pommeraye: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Nantes.
- SeasonWhat to do in Nantes during the All Saints’ holidaysThe Utopiales, the Machines de l’île, the Château des ducs, Trentemoult and the markets: our ideas for enjoying Nantes during the 2026 All Saints’ holidays.
- City guideWhat to do in Nantes: the complete guideThe Machines de l’île, the Château des ducs de Bretagne, the green line of Le Voyage à Nantes, Trentemoult, the Talensac market and the vineyards: what to do in and around Nantes.
Traveller reviews
Nobody has reviewed this place yet.
Photograph: Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
