The most beautiful light shows in Paris
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- The most beautiful light shows in Paris
Among Paris Region’s shows and special events, the illuminated walks are among the most eagerly awaited during the festive season. A variety of themes and enchanted worlds invite children and adults on a magical journey. Discover the most beautiful illuminated paths in Paris and its region.
Lumières en Seine
Well-known for hosting the Rock en Seine festival every year, the domaine national de Saint-Cloud is also the talk of the town as Christmas approaches. As winter’s calm settles over the park, a more enchanting event takes centre stage: Lumières en Seine. This year, the 4th edition of the Lumières en Seine presents an original light display. Over a 2km stretch, the paths in the park lead past paintings, sculptures and other works of light art. The tour ends with an (almost obligatory) visit to the food court. Hot chocolate for the kids and mulled wine for the adults are accompanied by sweet and savoury treats.
An experience to be enjoyed with family and friends from 15 November 2025 to 5 January 2025. Please note that Lumières en Seine will be closed on 24 and 31 December to avoid dazzling Father Christmas.
Thoiry Wild Lights
Every day, visitors stroll through the ZooSafari de Thoiry to defy the gaze of the lions or have fun in front of the meerkats. But in the run-up to Christmas, the castle’s gardens are overrun by other, more curious animals. This year, the Wild Lights Thoiry Festival returns with a show just as enchanting as its predecessors. Its new theme: Jules Verne’s ‘Extraordinary Journeys’.
The programme includes a 1.5km-long light and music path for families, couples and friends to follow. Every year, the park increases its collection of lanterns, making the Thoiry Lumières sauvages festival the biggest in Paris Region. In 2023, more than 2,500 works of light will be displayed throughout the garden, with the illumination of the largest labyrinth in France.
There’s no need to rush when the event kicks off. The Festival of Lights runs from 27 October 2024 to 5 March 2025. These 5 months will give you plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the lanterns, even several times several times if you’re so inclined.
Lantern Festival: the dinosaur ball
It’s dinosaur time! From 29 November 2024 to 2 March 2025, immerse yourself in a fairytale world with the Festival des Lanternes. In 2024, the Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris, after hosting the Shanghai Lanterns in 2023, will be transformed into a giant playground for tyrannosaurs, velociraptors and triceratops. Spread over no less than 6 hectares, immerse yourself in a unique world of light, where 100 of the most impressive dinosaurs from the Mesozoic era seem to come to life under the stars and the 2,000 twinkling lanterns that surround them.
Whether you’re with family or friends, open your eyes wide and enjoy a unique festive stroll right through the heart of Paris.
Jurassic Illuminated
Of all the light walks in Paris, the Jardin des Plantes](/en/garden-of-plants) is one of the most popular. As in previous years, the 2024 Festival of Lights is a tribute to nature. For its 6th edition, the event has a new theme: Jurassic Illuminated. The Museum is taking children and adults on an adventure far from the city, a journey back in time over 200,000 million years.
For fans of Jurassic Park, a myth is shattered: in the Jurassic period, there were no T. rexes or Triceratops, no flowers or grass, but plesiosaurs, archaeopteryxes and many other unusual species to be discovered along the way. It’s impossible to miss these lanterns, which are as colourful as they are dazzling. Some of the illuminations are even animated.
The lights will be in full bloom in the Jardin des Plantes from 20 November 2024 to 19 January 2025. The event will nevertheless be closed on Christmas Eve.
The Luminous Odyssey
Forget the winter chill for a few moments as you explore the “Luminous Odyssey” at the Parc Floral in Paris, in the heart of the bois de Vincennes. Over 1,000 animals, fantastic creatures, flowers and light shows dot the grounds well known to Parisians. Along the park’s 8km of paths, you can discover a wide range of worlds, from gingerbread houses to dragons straight from China, as well as the expertise behind the colourful lanterns. Among the park’s attractions, visitors will particularly enjoy the Northern Lights projected into the Parisian night.
To take part in this nocturnal escape, come to the Parc Floral from 30 November 2024 to 19 January 2025.
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- Copyright image: © Markus Hauschild