They turn their heads and flap their wings above the flow of travelers.

Twelve astonishing mechanical geese are hung in the terminal of Nantes-Atlantique airport.

The installation, dubbed "The flight of wild geese", was inaugurated on Monday.

It is a realization of the Machines of the island intended to equip the future rabbit with herons.

The airport is indeed a partner and patron of this giant tree to be built in the Miséry quarry, in Nantes, in 2027.

Designed in steel, brass, leather, cedar wood, the articulated birds are visible, for six of them, in hall 2, for six others in a boarding lounge.

Each goose chandelier is equipped with an electric motor that drives the wings.

The whole, whose total mass weighs about a ton, is intended to join the bestiary of mechanical creatures that will populate the future Heron Tree.

At #Nantes airport, twelve wild geese from the future Heron Tree come alive in the travelers' hall.

pic.twitter.com/27gk4XMvPo

- 20 Minutes Nantes (@ 20minutesnantes) September 20, 2021

"A real wonder"

“We are very proud to be able to show travelers an illustration of Nantes creativity and art. I think that these geese cause a real wonder for everyone, ”enthuses Cyril Girot, director of the airport. “Our wish is to ensure that when we arrive in the city there is the mark of the territory, rejoices Fabrice Roussel, vice-president of Nantes Métropole in charge of tourism. It is also a way of re-installing works of art in the public space. "

As a reminder, the Heron Tree will be a huge metal structure (35m high, 55m in diameter) with hanging gardens on which the public can stroll.

The ambitious project, contested by part of the Nantes political class because of its cost, received the green light from the metropolis in July to see the light of day at an expense of 52 million euros.

Work will begin in 2025.

Vinci, Nantes-Atlantique airport concessionaire, made a contribution of 260,000 euros to the project.

The duration of exposure of wild geese at the airport has not yet been determined.

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  • Culture

  • Airport

  • Island machines

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  • Nantes