JACKSONVILLE - The Star is  Malaysia’s most widely-read English language daily newspaper –  the publication ran an online feature on Aug. 29th  about Machines of Isle of Nantes [France].

(Why the article ran in Malaysia at all is probably a story unto itself, so we won’t concern ourselves with that today).

“On the Ile de Nantes [Isle of Nantes] in France, bizarre monstrous creatures right out of the pages of fantasy penned by the likes of Jules Verne [of Nantes] are taking astonished visitors for a ride.”

(Intrigued, I read on because, as everyone knows, Nantes is one of Jacksonville’s sister cities).

Reverse Propulsion Squid © Stephan Muntaner

“Up till the 70s, Nantes’ harbour was located at Ile de Nantes before it was moved to St Nazaire, leaving the island bereft and forlorn. But now the forsaken island has been revitalised into a major leisure and cultural project. Soon residential towers will bring life back to the newly designated city centre after dark.

“The Isle of Nantes project is a circus, theatre, laboratory, exhibition and roadside show all rolled into one. What used to be rundown industrial warehouses and derelict shipyards, once the pride of Nantes, is now party central for the rejuvenation of the entire island.”

(With a lead-up like that it’s hard not to immediately search for project’s Web site).

The main attraction of Les Machines de L’ile Nantes is, of course, “bizarre monstrous” machines.  They’re  elaborate stage-machines,  which have been used since the 17th-century as set-props in operas and theatre

(Although I’m sure not as huge as these particular machines).

The L’ile Nantes opened in 2007 with the Great Elephant as its first attraction. In total, 10 such machines are planned for its “bestiary.”

The Great Elephant ©Nautilus Nantes

(I’m doing this some day):

The GREAT ELEPHANT is  40′ tall and 26′ wide,  lumbering  around the grounds with 45 passengers aboard:

“From the inside, the passengers will be able to see the moving gears that power the legs. They can make the elephant trumpet and control some its movements, thus becoming truly a part of the Machine. On the back of the Elephant, it’s like being on the 4th floor of a moving house, with a breathtaking view of the banks of the Loire River. In this time-travelling carriage, the passengers can voyage to the imaginary world of Jules Verne in the city where he was born.”

Two other projects are ongoing:

Visitors are able to view the craftmen in the warehouses constructing the MARINE WORLDS CAROUSEL [project completion date 2011]:

“Twenty-seven moving underwater creatures on three levels: the ocean floor, the depths, and sea and boats. Visitors will be able to move about amidst a ballet of aquatic animals and sea carriages - - The Lantern of the Depths, The Crab Larva, The Pirate Fish,The Reverse-Propelling Squid, The Manta Ray.

“Preview of  The Heron Tree:   A monumental structure in the heart of the city, this steel tree 45 m in diameter and 28 m high will be topped by two herons. Visitors will be able to take a circular flight on the bird’s wings and walk from branch to branch in the amazing hanging gardens.”

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