Experts' Choice Award Les Machines De L'ile
What the experts agree on
A whimsical, Jules Verne-inspired mechanical wonderland on Nantes' former shipyard island, where the giant walking elephant and sea-creature carousel steal the show for all ages.
“Outside, by the river, Le Carrousel des Mondes Marins (a gigantic funfair carousel) whisks you under the sea on the back of giant crabs, octopuses and other strange sea creatures.”
– Lonely Planet
Fodor's "The Grand Eléphant gets most attention—hardly surprising, since the 50-ton giant, just short of 40-feet high, regularly "ambles" along the quay carrying 49 passengers. "
Frommer's "On the island splitting the Loire river in the center of Nantes is a fantastical workshop that does Jules Verne proud." Full review
Eater "In the mid-2000s, the Île de Nantes in the middle of the city became home to a fleet of mechanical marvels in the quirky, theme-park-like Les Machines de l'Île, which includes a hybrid..."
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National Geographic "On a small island in the Loire River in the city of Nantes, a trumpeting mechanical elephant sprays water from its trunk. The curious creature carries 50 passengers at a time, who survey..."
