Created in 1994 by former shipyard workers, the Maison des Hommes et des Techniques (MHT) is an association with a mission to preserve and promote Nantes’ naval heritage and, more broadly, the region’s industrial and social history. It does so by offering visitors a permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and conferences throughout the year.
The exhibition Bâtisseurs de navires looks back at two thousand years of marine history, which have deeply left their mark on the region: major technical developments, naval trades, the working conditions of labourers and their union struggles are all probed. It also explores the river, Nantes’ port, its ferry bridge, and the major changes to the Île de Nantes district. Through tools, models, films, sound documents, the exhibition retraces the history of shipbuilding in Nantes for 2000 years: its trades, know-how, working conditions…
Nantes. An industrial city yesterday, today, tomorrow.
Nantes has a rich and varied industrial past, this history has shaped the city, its inhabitants and its identity. The Maison des Hommes et des Techniques focused its temporary exhibition on the importance of industry in the agglomeration, yesterday, today and tomorrow, to make known to the greatest number this human and technical heritage unknown.
This temporary exhibition will end in 2025
Nantes is transforming
Nantes is changing to become an even more ecological, inclusive, and dynamic city. To do this, new public works will reinforce our already existing ecofriendly modes of transport: new tram lines, green zones for pedestrians and cyclists, and more. From 2024, these major urban projects will disrupt traffic around Les Machines de l’Île and Parc des Chantiers, with the Pont Anne-de-Bretagne bridge closed off to cars (the bridge will remain accessible to pedestrians and cyclists). Solutions will be offered throughout construction to make it easier for everyone to get around, like: increased frequency of several public transport lines, more Naolib bike-share bicycles, and more parking spots in park-and-ride lots.
For further information
Bâtiment Ateliers et Chantiers de Nantes, 2 Bis Bd Léon Bureau, 44200 Nantes
How to get there?
Parking(s) nearby: Parking Les Machines, Parking Les Nefs, Parking Chantiers Navals
Public transport: Prairie au Duc, Prairie au Duc 1, Quai des Antilles, Chantiers Navals
Self-service bicycles: Machine De L'île (n°43), Grue Jaune (n°103), Brunelière (n°41), Palais De Justice (n°44)
Open from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00 from Monday to Friday.
Open from 14.00 to 18.00 on certain weekends, public holidays and during school holidays.
See detailed agenda (in french)
Closed during the Christmas holidays, from December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
Free of charge
Very accessible to individuals in wheelchairs.
A thorough exhibition adapted to visitors with disabilities.
Accessible washrooms.
Documents in Braille available.
Videos available.
The exhibition takes place in an airy, well-lit space.