The Machines of the Isle of Nantes

I’m not 100% sure what’s going on in the French city of Nantes, other than its steampunky mechanical animals are REALLY COOL. The Isle of Nantes isn’t really an island, but rather a former shipyard turned into a cultural exhibit where mechanical animals are the main attraction. The big one right now is a gigantic […]

I'm not 100% sure what's going on in the French city of Nantes, other than its steampunky mechanical animals are REALLY COOL.

The Isle of Nantes isn't really an island, but rather a former shipyard turned into a cultural exhibit where mechanical animals are the main attraction. The big one right now is a gigantic (triple-sized?) elephant with built-in howdah but there are other animals as well, including a very creepy squid.

So, can anyone tell us more about this great exhibit?

Flickr set of the exhibit.

YouTube video of the elephant in motion.

Video of the squid.

Photo by Claude Joannis.