Halle de La Machine

About the museum

The Halle de La Machine opened on November 9, 2018 in the Montaudran district of Toulouse. It sits near the Piste des Géants, the former runway of the airfield where the Aéropostale airmail line began and developed. The site is part of the Toulouse Aerospace project, together with the L’Envol des Pionniers museum.

The hall is devoted to the stage machines of La Machine, a company based in Nantes known for its large animated creatures inspired by nature, aviation or human epics. The company owns about 200 machines. Among them is Astérion, a 14-meter-tall, 47-tonne Minotaur that carries passengers on its back along the Piste des Géants every day. The Minotaur was also the hero of the street show “Le Gardien du Temple” in November 2018, which drew some 900,000 spectators.

Inside the hall, the visit is free and unfolds like a live performance: the team of Véritables Machinistes, made up of actors, circus artists, builders and musicians, sets the machines in motion during a daily “Grande Impro.” Visitors discover, among others, Le Dîner des Petites Mécaniques, l'Expédition Végétale, La Symphonie Mécanique and l'Aéroflorale II. The Carré Sénart carousel also offers mobile animals aboard a rail-mounted ride.

Highlights

• Astérion, the 14-meter Minotaur, and his ride along the Piste des Géants
• The daily “Grande Impro” by the Véritables Machinistes
• The Aéroflorale II, a 38-tonne flying plant machine
• The Carré Sénart carousel with buffaloes, fish and insects
• The Minotaure café and La Belle Boutique

Permanent exhibitions

• La Halle de La Machine – Free visit to an exhibition of moving stage machines, with a daily improvisation by the Véritables Machinistes.
• Les Voyages en Minotaure – A ride on the back of Astérion, a 14-meter-tall Minotaur, along the Piste des Géants.
• Le Manège Carré Sénart – A carousel with buffaloes, mobile fish and insects on a rail.

Founded

2018

Visitors per year

approx. 320,000 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Price of the visit to the Hall (about 1 hour 30 minutes). The super-reduced rate applies to children aged 6 to 12 and holders of minimum social benefits. A tourist pass is offered at the single price of €9. A rate of €6.50 is offered for a screening at the UGC Montaudran cinema with a visit or ride ticket for the same day. Payment on site by bank card, cash and chèques-vacances.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Two elevators serve the balcony and the entrance to the Minotaur’s temple. Wheelchairs are lent at reception. Visitors with reduced mobility are admitted first; only one wheelchair place is possible per Minotaur ride, by reservation. Car park P1 is free for 6 hours for visitors with reduced mobility. Tactile markers are installed on every step inside and on the Piste des Géants. Visits, storytelling sessions and birthdays are offered in French Sign Language. The association Souffleurs de Sens provides free image descriptions for blind and visually impaired visitors. “Le Bocal” is a quiet room, and noise-cancelling headphones are lent at reception. Only assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Carré Sénart carousel and the Minotaur rides attract families. The Méca’nniversaire is for children aged 5 to 12 (flat fee of €200 for 8 children and 2 adults, about 2 hours including a visit, snack and carousel ride), on Saturdays by reservation one month in advance. The rate is reduced for children from age 6 and free for children under 5.

Getting there & parking

The Hall is labeled Accueil Vélo, with VélÔToulouse bike stations no. 239 and 267; from the city center you can follow the Canal du Midi. During the Mécanik Paradize festival (October 8–11, 2026), access and parking change.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Minotaure café (service from 12:00 to 14:00, until 14:30 at weekends and during holidays) and La Belle Boutique shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 4,000 guests.

Exclusive hire of the Hall (2,800 m², gala dinners for up to 350 people, cocktail receptions for up to 1,400), the Piste des Géants, the carousel, the Minotaure café (140 people), the Balcon (170 seats) and a meeting room (60 seats). The offer is aimed at seminars, meetings, team building and corporate receptions; quotes on request.

Plan your visit