Halle de la Machine

Definitely worth a visit - but beware.... The promotional images of the huge moving machines, which are astounding, hides the fact that most exhibits are much smaller, static Heath Robinson like contraptions. It seems to depend on when you go which dictates enjoyment levels. The massive Minotaur was moving around outside when we arrived about 11.30 but didnt seem to move again before we left around 2 despite a board saying it's out every hour or so. The demonstrations of some of the smaller machines were fun but very limited and quite random ie if a staff member was there and willing you might get a 2 minute demo. It all seemed very unorganised and disrespectful to paying customers who should all expect a good time irrespective of the whims of staff. There were no signs to the upstairs which amounted to the most boring film of the dragon in Calais but after 20 minutes in it was just people yapping and over long clips of ferries. Bizarre. We just wanted to see the dragon in action!!! Rude idiot in the cafe, I'm guessing the manager, who deemed it hilarious to make a joke about me being English- very peculiar- didn't like it when I told him he wasn't funny. This is a potentially very interesting and exciting museum but the management of it seemed very amateurish. After the delight of the Minotaur outside it just went rapidly downhill for us. There was no attempt at any translation- no leaflets, video subtitles or audio. These days this is really poor - there will be many foreign tourists disappointed by not knowing the facts that seem to be exclusive to the natives. Get your act together managers of this place. I've been generous with the rating based on Minotaur and potential.

Guys its so fun here, the tour guide was so enthusiastic and fun. All of the mechanics are so cool and the shows you get to see are super entertaining, cool and interactive. However, the tour was not in English so if you don't understand French you may want to ask in advance. Definitely would recommend though, one of the coolest places I've visited in Toulouse. Seriously the machines are insane!!!

An absolutely fantastic experience, immersed in a world of extraordinary machines. Very friendly people present and explain these marvelous inventions. Suitable for all ages, you'll forget everything else during this visit..

Atypical experience. Not that big, yet definitely worth it. It’s more like a warehouse with multiple mini shows. The minotaur does 2 different paths. If you are not mounted on the minotaur, pay attention to the “H—>PA” schedule (there’s a small show for the public inside the hall).

This place was outstanding, I thought I would enjoy it but it superseded my expectations. The level of craftsmanship and detail in these designs is second to none. Also the fact that demonstrations are happening throughout the day makes you feel included and part of something instead of just looking at it. Fun for the whole family.

Visited while on holiday from the UK If you’re in the area, you have to visit this place. The machines are so realistic and enormous that they absolutely blew my mind. The exhibitions are incredibly creative and you really have to experience them first-hand! They had an interactive experience running when I visited where the Minotaur and another of the machines came into the Hall and blew fog and water all over the crowd. The whole experience was amazing and I highly recommend it!

My sense is that we visited this on an off day and that on the right day this would be brilliant. The machines are awesome, and the massive creatures are awe inspiring when you see them move, the dragon coming to life and the Minotaur were real highlights that beautifully fuse art and engineering with music. Located around the hall are lots of smaller musical machines and some fairground games, all very cool and a lot involving fire. They have repurposed everyday objects into all sorts of amazing mechanisms and contraptions that do all sorts of unexpected things. The challenge when we visited was that there weren’t many staff around and so almost no demonstrations, and for me that is where things fell apart. The machines are cool when you see, play and touch them or watch them in action, when they are stationary it is a bit dull. The design sketches and projection rooms are interesting but this was hard work at times. That said I can see on another day with more demonstrations in action it would be amazing. Worth noting you need some French understanding and even some google translate to be able to understand stuff

Definitely worth a visit , there's a carousel too , an exhibition, cafe , toilets , and rides on the minotaur too , not just for kids , you may need to book rides online as it does get booked up sometimes.