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 has been getting a major makeover since 2024.
The city is currently undergoing extensive public works, particularly around Île de Nantes (Quai de la Fosse and the Pont Anne-de-Bretagne bridge). Tram Line 1 will be temporarily suspended from mid-June to late August 2026. The city centre and Parc des Chantiers – Machines de l’Île will remain accessible, thanks to replacement buses and to the pedestrian and cycling routes that will continue to be open. Park-and-ride facilities are available to drivers.
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
Public transport: Prairie au Duc, 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)
Free of charge
Videos available.
