THE MECHANICAL GARDEN

The Heron’s Tree is a colossal interactive garden, stretching out over more than 49 metres in diameter and 25 metres high. The garden is to be a living playground, where visitors can climb across the “branches” and ride the mechanical creatures, including flying herons that will provide stunning views of the valley below.

The Heron’s Tree is a mechnical masterpiece, featuring 22 branches that double as walkways that sweep around the circumference of the tree and can be accessed by a staircase that winds up the inside of the trunk. The walkways will be lined with lush, hanging greenery that will bring the steel tree to life. 35 metres from the top of the tree will be two platforms that feature two stunning mechanical herons that will take 20 visitors each on a soaring flight, high above the valley.

The project is the third piece of a colossal artistic, touristic and cultural endeavor in Loire Valley, known as the Machines of the Isle of Nantes. Beginning back in 2007, the project is inspired by renowned French artists Leonardo da Vinci, Jules Verne and Jean-Jacque Audubon.

The project includes additional constructions such as The Grand Elephant, a 12-metre-high structure made from wood and steel that can take up to 50 passengers on a leisurely 45-minute walk; the 25-metre-high Marine Worlds Carousel where visitors can walk among and ride a variety of sea creature; and the Machine Gallery where visitors can view the multitudes of sketches, designs and prototypes of the mechanical creations. Currently, prototypes of The Heron Tree’s mechanical creations are on displayed at the Machine Gallery, with some even available for visitors to ride on. The Machines of the Isle project aims to showcase mechanical constructions of animal wildlife from across the globe and produce the city’s identity of a creative space full of fantastical wonder.

The project was designed and created by renowned artists, Francois Delaroziere and Piere Orefice, who were inspired by the art and artists of the Loire Valley. The herons in particular are inspired by Jean-Jacques Audubon who drew many of the beautiful birds in his youth, sitting along the banks of the Loire River.

The $56 million project is mostly publicly funded, with additional funds being raised through a kickstarter campaign known as The Heron Tree Endowment Fund. The fund has already gone above and beyond the initial budget goal, demonstrating the level of public interest the project is already gathering.

The project is estimated to be completed in 2022.