Les Machines de L'ile, Nantes

It's neat and has a lot of interesting machines to see. The machines as art are really amazing. They're intricately designed and really quite beautiful. They do shows of the machines that are displayed in the gallery, then a walk up the terrace to see the workshop and a short movie, and finally a walk along a metal tree lined with plants. 8.50 to see the gallery, 8.50 to ride the elephant, 8.50 to ride the carousel. The gallery ticket and elephant ticket allow you to go up to the terrace as well. With that said the machines movements and actions are all quite simple so don't expect any great feats or robotics.

Amazing place to visit! The machines are incredible and they demonstrate all of them with some people getting to ride (talks are in French, obviously, fair enough). Worth staying in the gallery until they do all the demos as once you leave each section you can't go back. The ticket price is fair, just be aware it's either for the gallery OR a ride on the amazing mechanical elephant. But you can still see the elephant up close and in action. There is also a view of the workshops and you can climb down the incredible Heron tree and see its prototypes. Check the opening times if you're going at all "out of season" as it was afternoon only on the day we visited. Highly recommended.