Thousands of spectators watched the huge mechanical elephant in London (2006) and the spider in Liverpool(2008).

Both were invented and built in Nantes, and their descendants are on display at the “Machines de l'Ile” on the Île of Nantes. Here, visitors can ride on the Great Elephant, visit the Gallery of Machines and walk on a prototype branch of the future Heron Tree.

NEW FOR 2012: the Carousel of the Marine World (opens July 14). This giant merry-go-round, nearly 80 feet/25 metres high and 65 feet/20 metres in diameter, will feature 35 weird and wonderful underwater (mechanical) creatures.