Les Chantiers Shipyards

Emblem of the city's port heritage, the former shipyards site has been undergoing significant changes since June 2006. The redevelopment efforts have made this area into a popular place for outings and cultural tourism.  

The redevelopment of the former shipyards was initiated in 2005 and the operational phase began in June 2006.  At the end of the first year of work, the first deliveries made it possible to rediscover the former industrial heart of the Island. The boardwalks, riverbanks and new dock offer new views of the Loire. The industrial, maritime and port heritage is preserved, showcased by the developments and made available for everyone to appreciate.

This large urban public park also hosts ongoing or temporary events and activities. In the summer of 2007, the Great Elephant of the Machines de l'Ile began taking its daily walks from its new home in the rehabilitated former warehouses, or naves.

More than 500,000 people visited the Shipyards site during the summer of 2007, after which the second phase of the project began. Four theme gardens will be created on the banks of the Loire and the former slipways will be rehabilitated, with delivery scheduled for summer 2009.

At the same time, construction is being done on the Boulevard de la Prairie au Duc and new streets are being created to build a new diverse neighbourhood opening onto the park.