The Mechanical Elephant

The Mechanical Elephant is the symbol and biggest attraction of the city of Nantes, France. Its size is impressive: 12 meters high and 8 wide, weighing 50 tons. An articulated machine of rare ingenuity, it is capable of barring and waving its trunk, spraying the public, and carrying 49 passengers on a short journey. It was inspired by the imaginary machines of Nantes-born Jules Verne and of Leonardo da Vinci, who left his mark on several châteaux along the Loire.