I rode a giant mechanical elephant. You can too.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- Les machines de l'île, in Nantes, are famous for their giant mechanical elephant. And to my surprise, tourists can just pay and ride it. ■ More information: www.lesmachine...
Edited by Michelle Martin / @onthecrux
Camera: Guillaume Juin www.guillaumej...
Producer: Axel Zeiliger at Block8 block8producti...
Thanks to Jérémie Chabot for the suggestion
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.c...
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif
I guess technically, that's two videos about carousels in two weeks.
Not as much behind-the-scenes filming as usual, unfortunately: the workshop and mechanical parts were under a strict no-filming policy to keep some future projects secret. They do have big plans, though!
okay
@@szpecunio shut
HoW dId ToM pOsT tHiS 8 dAyS aGo
Hi
hi
Imagine You're a tourist going for a walk and all of a sudden a 12-metre tall mecha-elephant sprays you down with its trunk whilst its passengers laugh at you.
whilst.
What a word!
Been there! But when I took the ride, the tables turned
That's kind of my experience with it. I'm actually from not far away and somehow I hadn't really heard of this, went there for something else just before the pandemic and saw this giant elephant walk by as I was drinking my coffee, wondering wtf was happening
These guys have a 3-story-tall mechanical dragon-horse that they bring on tour to city streets around the world. Imagine being late to work because a giant dragon's hooves are blocking the road
@@TheLivingBlobfish youve never heard the word before?
If you're curious "why Nantes", the answer's also "because Jules Verne" who was born a Nantais in 1828. His work is the main source of inspiration of those steampunk machines!
I was wondering...especially on the carousel critters!
oh but of course! that makes so much sense!
I came here to say that, I'm fairly certain that the elephant is supposed to be the mechanical elephant from one of his stories.
Ah thanks for that bit of information, i was thinking the carousel looked a bit Jules Verne!
It makes sense, considering the steampunk aesthetic
Looks awesome
The fact that these mechanical animals are made of wood makes them look so much nicer and more magical, than if they were plastic.
It gives them a "natural" feel
Plastic molding would have made it feel less like art and more like a cheap trick
It's the same aesthetic as the robot sentinels from Dishonored 2, love it.
No.
Do they ever get caught in a sudden rainstorm? Or doesn't that happen in Europe?
I'm from Nantes and maybe it's worth emphasizing Tom's point at the end. This is a fairly busy bit of the city, this is a place I've been dozens of times, it's not like it's a hidden gem, it's actually a great pride for the city and everyone in France who knows a bit about Nantes knows Les Machines de l'Ile 😊
Thank you very much for the Dragon of Calais by the way!
It wasn't available when I went there a few years back 😭 or it was the wrong days, I can't remember.. I enjoyed the rest of the city, though
There are also many "non-elephant-related" reasons to visit Nantes.
I actually have a little poster from "Les Machines de l'Ile" but I couldn't remember where it was from until I saw this video today
And while the main collection of automatron are in Nantes, it is worth noticing there are some in Toulouse too.
And climate is warmer in Toulouse 😁
Never thought I'd see the day when I'd actually done one of these but it's here!!! The elephant sprays little kids with water with its trunk, it's adorable
↖️Friends😨 here is a couple of my creepy Explorings. Come and take a look 😨😰😱😰😱.
Same! I've also been on this.
@@exterminator9676 you spray little kids with your trunk?🤣
Yep, and the pilot is usually careful with people holding sensitive devices such as cameras, and I once almost had to beg to be sprayed as I wanted to have a specific photo :)
I saw the elephant when it came to london many years ago. When I saw the thumbnail I actually shout out loud, TOM, I KNOW ABOUT THIS
I can't believe Tom Scott rode a divine beast
They had to find some use after assisting Link with destroying Ganon
Zelda has a british accent and so does Tom Scott. Coincidence? I don't think so.
@@everydaythings4489 😱omg!!!! zelda is tom scott confirmed??????
*Attack on Vah Ruta starts playing*
🤣
Hi Tom, I love this place. Furthermore, "les machines de Nantes" have opened a sort of subsidiary here in Toulouse. You can ride a giant minotaur or a giant spider (different from the one in Nantes).
Tom's Tour de France is going swimmingly well, it seems.
tour du force de France?
I think this means a collaboration with The Tim Traveller
@@PianoKwanMan The Tom Traveller
@@PianoKwanMan about some weird french infra
The company also has a 12-meter-tall mechanical dragon-horse that breathes fire and spits water, which is my personal favorite :D
Can confirm Longma is a very good boi :}
Longma the longboi
It can burn, then put the fire out, cool.
@@randomcaribou2333 what's longma? (i'm so sorry)
@@NickiRusin In Mandarin long is dragon and ma is horse.
I wonder if this was inspiration for the Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild.
I actually watched a interview about breath of the wild where one of the beasts was said to be inspired by this elephant. So you sir are correct.
And a giant Elephant island thing in One Piece, Oda probably visited that town before
a lot of japanese are fascinated with france so a lot of french stuff ends up in their stuff when they reference the west
i was just thinking that
Kind of Horizon Zero Dawn-ish as well
i grew up and live in this city and it's always fun to remember that this is not a normal sight. we literally had mechanical giants walking around the city and taking naps a few years back and we have a round about on 3 levels made of small sea creatures like that in the summer. and they're planning to build a 12m mechanical tree in a park of the city that is a rehabilitated mining ground. visiting our own city is always fun.
How in the world do you manage to make such consistently compelling videos with massively different themes and experiences each time? It's insane.
Nice pfp
I tried to brush your icon off my screen *again* !
@@AndrewBlack343 light mode pleb revealed himself
The interesting answer: Maybe Tom is just some kind of super human?
The realistic answer: Experience and a large team.
@@Martell364 google
This company just completed the first part of their biggest project yet, the Flying Héron! Their work is incredible, and we all hope they can continue to build these.
Is that the 7.5m wingspan that was mentioned, or is it a different heron?
@@NotKyleChicago That one is a proof on concept for the bigger one
@@NotKyleChicago they are finishing an bigger one than has 16.5m wingspan that is part of an even bigger project called "l'arbre au héron" which is a 50 by 35m tree where people walk on branches and is inhabited by multiple mechanical creatures.
@@lepideble Genetic cloning of prehistoric DNA trapped in amber? Meh. Who needs that.
And by the way, one part of the tree is already done, you can see it in the video
Okay, Tom, You did it. I am officially entirely enthralled an MUST visit this place once in my life, with my family. In short, this is the most insanely awesome thing I have seen made for the arts and I would imagine should be on the tour for would be roboticists as well. This is just stunning, in the truest sense of the word! Nantes, birthplace of Jules Verne and land of the mechanical automaton creatures of my fevered dreams!
Fun trivia: this is one of the four divine beasts built by the Sheikah in order to seal away Calamity Ganon. Its named Ruta after Ruto, the Sage of Water
I feel like this could be a whole new series featuring bizzare and unique attractions, like "I rode a sofa down a public road, you can too"
The "Mr Bean" ride ...
that one pepsi commercial?
i flew a kite in a public place
gmod?
4 years ago the same company opened a branch in Toulouse (southwest of France), for the occasion they created an even bigger machine shaped as a Minotaur, and you can also ride it. It’s mechanics is even more realistic, it is just astonishing!
I saw that machine in construction since you can visit the workshop
That's also the case in la Roche-sur-Yon. On the main place you can just control about 10 exotic animals like a crocodile or a camel as if they were toys !
I had a big goofy smile on my face this entire video. I love that this is a thing.
Who else is here from University Challenge?
edit: well done Tom, an incredible performance!!!
They came to my hometown (Ottawa Canada) with 2 of their beasts for a day long special event. It was breathtaking. A giant spider started the day perched at the top of a large cathedral (really suspended from a crane, but styled to look like it was perched on the roof) and crawled down the cathedral wall before heading into the streets. It was mind blowing. You couldn’t ride these ones, they were piloted by professionals, but as a sight it was incredible!
My arachnophobia wouldn't let me go anywhere near that mechanical monster but I get that it must have looked cool
Where I'm from, riding an actual living elephant as a tourist attraction is still a thing. However, over the years, there has been debates over the ethical-ness of it all. This mechanical elephant and the other mechanical animals are just too cool.
Why would it be unethical? It's essentially the same as riding a horse.
@@argustiny.972 Well riding a horse is unethical as well so I am not sure what your point is.
@@argustiny.972 Mistreatment bro. They beat them with canes and lock them up
@@argustiny.972 Elephant spines are not meant to carry the weight of humans on their backs, especially repeatedly and for extended periods of time, thus causing them sustained injury.
Horses, however, can sufficiently support humans on their backs without experiencing physical injury as long as it is done properly and with the horses care in mind.
Horses are domesticated, elephants aren't.
I'm a Canadian and when i was young la machine passed in Ottawa and me and my family went to see it and it was an astonishing experience. One of the best things I saw in real life for sure.
Amazing.
And because of Tom now they'll get more tourists.
Keep up the good work. 😎👍
Holy cow (or elephant I guess!) that’s so cool! The entire “park” reminds me of a Jules Verne novel or something!
That's because it is, Jules Vernes actually studied in the Lycée Clémenceau high school of Nantes, where I studied as well!
There is a Jules Verne museum across the water from the park...
There are a lot of things in Nantes that were directly named according to Jules Verne's work actually
Good instinct, Jules Verne has been credit as the main inspiration by the Machines de l'Île, and many of the machines are at least partly tributes to his work :3
@@etiennelecerf3258 haha wow I guess they did it perfectly as it was the feeling I had the instant I saw the machines!,
I've been wanting to go here for years now. It looks like an incredible place! Also, a steampunk heaven. I also love the no-plastic mindset. Very cool, I wish there were more places like this one.
TOO DANFGEROUS TO GO NEAR. SHOULD BE BANNED
@@esecallum ROADS ARE DANGEROUS. BAN THEM
@@esecallum People say the same about me but still I can't be stopped
@@TheBanana93 People die getting in and out of bathtubs every year.
People die falling down stairs.
People die choking on food.
People die from the deliberate actions of other people.
-
I could find no reports of death, or even injuries, at Les machines de l'île.
What happened to “save the trees” y’all are too damn hard to please LMAO
Went there about 5 years ago, it was amazing... the whole concept for the theme park is incredible. French theme parks in general are just something else.
Glad to see Tom cover something so integral to the city where i studied ! Great video !!!
For those interested, "Les machines de l'île" is part of a bigger organism called "La Machine". It has a sister location based in Toulouse where another spider, a dragon and a Minotaur (the Minotaur can be ridden) can be found. It has also made productions for special occasions with other countries (it sent the dragon to China in celebration of the 50 years of Franco-chinese relations). This isn't an exhaustive list of what they've done, the rest is also very interesting !
I'm not big into amusement parks or anything, but heck those are the coolest attractions I've ever seen and I want to visit it.
It's not quite a park as it's not a closed space. Appart from a few machines, you can just wander around freely and enjoy the atmosphere.
If you want to get a ride, or move in a little closer, you have to buy a ticket though.
@@steeveletur1983 It’s a hybrid theme park.
These machines look amazing. And I really support the choice of using wood instead of plastic as a shell. It gives far more character to the pieces.
Nantes is an amazing city. There is always so much to do, so much creativity, so much art. It has stolen my heart.
Lived in Nantes for half a year (doing an Erasmus there) and it was incredible being on the Île de Nantes with so many people there, the elephant walking around, dance groups doing performances and so on. Wondering why the place looks so deserted in the video, but happy to finally say "Oh, I've been there!" when seeing one of Toms videos!
I've been there as a child and totally didn't expect this to ever pop up again in my life :D It's an awesome place, highly recommended if you're in the region, especially for kids!
This looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel.
"Les machines de l'île" are very Jules Verne inspired.
I live in Ottawa, and when the had La Machine in 2017 I had gone to like 2 or 3 performances. And although I did watch some of the others online, the space that the machines took up and the music that they played, it made it feel like you couldn't help but stare in awe because of the experience, and the amount of engineering that possibly went into designing the entire machine.
In one word: Remarkable
Having actually been to this museum, I’m so glad someone is sharing it. Thanks Tom!
I saw La Machine when they were in Ottawa for the Canada 150 Celebrations, and eventually went to Nantes in 2019. Really cool stuff and great to see tom covering it.
Long Ma > Kumo
@@ThisOneCassie we love Long Ma
I did not expect to see my tiny home in a Tom Scott video, but here it is :D
I'm really proud to live just a few meters from such an amazing place. It's quite noisy, though.
Mais il y a plain d'habitants de nantes ici ou quoi?
3:17 "ELEPHANT~~~" Made me crack a smile 😊
All Breath of the wild fans collectively had a revelation about the divine beasts watching this video.
here, in Toulouse, there is a similar attraction, but instead of an elephant we have a minotaur.
the place is called "Halle de La Machine"
bouhh
I've been there! I ran in front of the elephant to get sprayed with water! I also went to see the other mechanical animals inside :D it was so unbelievebaly cool
A friend and I are planning to make a Europe trip this summer, your videos make for great itinerary ideas. Thank you for making this series!
This looks absolutely awesome. If I ever leave this hemisphere and per chance end up in France (though it’s not necessarily on my known list of destinations), it would be awesome to see this place in person.
Awesome video! It's a nice redemption story bc that island used to be a huge naval yard and, instead of letting it die after activity left, the city has turned it into a really cool place with lots of life
"I rode a giant mechanical..." That's all that shows up on my tab, Imagine a parent using the computer and seeing that and thinking it's the nasty stuff, lmao.
While I don't totally agree with the sentiment that reliance on existing IP is hurting themeparks like Disney, I have to say, its something really special to see an attraction as unique as this, but also as immaculately themed as this. Its a perfect and permanent representation of the best parts of an 1800s worlds fair.
I have been in Nantes for a school exchange was a great week and I loved seeing/riding on these machines and couldn't believe that I have never heard of it before
I had the amazing opportunity of travelling to Nantes for my last year of high school and the little island in the center of the city where this elephant and many other atractions where was one of my favourite spots to hang out. My studies there were unfortunately cut short by the pandemic but the memories will stay with me forever.
This really regularly goes for walks round Nantes?? How have we never heard of this?
Anyone who knows a bit about Nantes has actually heard of it 😁 "the elephant" is one of Nantes' greatest prides ❤️
It actually only walks around the block (in the center of the city), not around the whole city. But I still like seeing it when I'm around!
Well, have you heard about their giant, 3-story-high mechanical dragon-horse they bring to cities around the world? They recently began touring again since the pandemic
Alright, as a teenager, I didn't have high regards for this mechanical elephant. I always thought it was a "half arsed" attempt at replicating reality.
Now having it presented as an arts project, an attempt to replicate ancient automata, and seeing all the other automata they have made to attract tourists, I'm more able to appreciate the effort made (the weight played a factor too) in making these machines.
I actually want to visit now. Shame I'm single, be much more fun with someone else.
For some reason I kept reading the title of this video as “I made a giant mechanical elephant. You can too.”
It's just crazy to see you in places I've been before ! As a French person, I'm quite sad I haven't see you though...
Well I'm British, and I've never seen Tom, so it's okay...
@@exterminator9676 Yes that's true, but that I've visited really recently so it's kind of weird lmao, but I understand what you mean
To quote Gary Brannan, "We would have heard about this. It would have walked over Tokyo by now."
He's my favorite Gary Brannan!
I REALLY, REALLY want to see the reaction of a real living Elephant to this.
This makes me nostalgic I went to Nantes as a kid with my dad after seeing the Artists other work when it came to my home city (Liverpool) we rode the elephant and the carrousel good times
Vah Ruta IRL
You would kind of feel like a historical prince riding that thing.
Okay, this is FREAKING COOL! If i ever go to France, I have to go there!
Nantes is as amazing place, the city centre is lovely for pedestrians as well with botanical gardens, a lovely chateau and more all easy to walk around along with this attraction. Fully recommend this amazing place! :)
I want to ride a giant mechanical Tom Scott.
↖️Friends😨 here is a couple of my creepy Explorings. Come and take a look 😨😰😱😰😱
Slow down there, buddy.
The Tom Scott Bot is still out there, just saying
I can guarantee there is someone who can make this possible, in fact I'm certain Tom made a video on this
MechaScott
It has a snout that blows water?? Okay, that's somehow the most entertaining part of this mechanical beast.
I just had an existential crisis realizing how much I wanted toms job
In the south of France, with the same company, you can now ride a giant mecha minotaur ! (It's in Toulouse)
Never thought I'd see a Zelda BOTW and Tom Scott cross over but here we are...
Vah ruta IRL
This video about my home town tells a story i've heard thousands of times but the way you tell stories is so unique ! Thank you for all those wondefull videos !
I think I fought that thing in a Zelda game... Sincerely though, I would love to see and ride this machine. It's an absolute wonder of what you can do with a broad imagination and support behind you.
This is the sort of mad project that needs no other reason to exist than to make the world a more interesting place.
this looks so steampunk! Imagine you walked around in a city to find mechanical machines like these!!
The fact that I knew what this was gonna be about, just by reading the title gave me so much joy.
Also, great video and I can only recommend visiting Les Machines de l'Île.
This is really good designs and mechanism, this must have gave all kids the smile they wanted.
The carousel is jaw dropping too, it's like a Jules Verne's wonderland
So happy to see your video in Nantes ! I've been living here for six years and feel proud when people discover the city 😊
Divine beast vah ruta
I always have to say that the French have amazing style and unique ideas.
I’m glad to see we’re getting a head start on Ganon and are already working on prototyping the divine beasts.
I was there a few years back and rode the carousel. Being able to witness and ride all these crazy contraptions was really fun.
The divine beast Vah Ruta needed a new side job after defeating Ganon
truth
I am a resident of Nantes accustomed to this elephant and I had forgotten how destabilizing and funny it is for tourists. Personally I find that our elephant is too little known.
Imagine how terrifying it would be if this was used in war, you’re hidden behind some rubble and the enemy has a giant elephant coming towards you
I don't know what palm sized phones you're testing your thumbnail on, Tom, but those people don't look like dots, they look like people 😂
I went here in 2019! It was amazing! Unfortunately, we didn’t get time to ride the elephant, but we did have a look at everything else that was there. Truly incredible feats of engineering!
So that's what it feels like to have a video by Tom Scott about your hometown
This looks so similar to the sultan's elephant which visited London in 2006 (along with a giant marionette doll). I never got to see it in person at the time and I was so sad to hear later that they destroyed it, so it's incredible that this exists now! Definitely adding to my bucket list!
So glad this is still a thing. I remember seeing it when it toured London.
This legitimately changes riding your average elephant
I understand that this is almost absolutely a well known thing in france, but this looks like a child's dream of what a future may behold. I am already utterly facinated by this attraction, and the fact they have mulitple machines based off various animals just makes it almost otherworldly to me.
As a French, the goal to turn Nantes into a more touristy-area was reached : everyone in France knows about the "weird cool machines from Nantes".
What a fun way to see the city! I'd love to try that someday.
That's so cool. This is what I imagined being an engineer was as a kid. Making things like a giant automaton animal to ride on.
ive been waiting my whole life for tom scott to give me the green light to ride a mechanical elephant
In 2050, we'll be able to ride in a Mechanical T-Rex. That's how fast we're stepping up in tech.
Tom Scott legit rode in Divine Beast Vah Ruta
Lets not lie to ourselves, its a 3 wheeled car.
I love the Jules Verne influence to all of these attractions. It’s a cultured take for a theme park of robot animal rides.
Can't believe nobody but Tom presented us this unique attraction.
The "Trojan" Elephant, France plans to use this to invade.
Yep this is just like Germany's attempts to sidestep the Versailles treaty. This elephant looks suspiciously capable of transforming into a wunderwaffen with small modifications. Like my grandpa always said "if the French ever get bored of eating cheese and smoking on the toilet we're all doomed"
@@highviewbarbell LMAO, so true. I've been there and basically the whole culture is to be as comfortable as possible 😂
@@highviewbarbell i love this quote XD
It's very commendable that it's so cheap to ride.
That place looks absolutely amazing! The miniature tree house behind you in the last scene is exactly my vibe.
I live like 20min away from « les machines de l’île »