Nature lights up the Jardin des Plantes in 2025

A well-kept secret of the Parisian winter: “En voie d’illumination”, the Jardin des Plantes light walk, returns from November 12, 2025 to January 18, 2026 with a new theme entitled “Lumières de la Nature”. Few know it yet, but this edition promises to be a plunge into the heart of natural luminous phenomena, between marine bioluminescence, phosphorescent minerals and aurora borealis recreated using the latest immersive technologies.

An original night-time route

Since 2018, this nocturnal walk has attracted several hundred thousand visitors every winter. For 2025-2026, the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle is promising a tour entirely designed around the luminous mysteries that fascinate scientists and the general public alike. Monumental sculptures, videomapping and interactive installations will transform the Jardin des Plantes into a unique sensory experience, in the heart of Paris’s 5th arrondissement.

Contrary to popular belief, this is not just an art exhibition: the event is also designed as a scientific outreach. Each installation is accompanied by accessible explanations of nature’s mechanisms: marine micro-organisms that glow in the dark, phosphorescent plants and fluorscent minerals that can be observed thanks to lighting devices. In this way, the edition plays on the boundary between wonder and the transmission of knowledge.

An alliance between science and entertainment

Few dare admit it: With “En voie d’illumination”, Paris has found one of its greatest end-of-year family events. The alliance forged between international luminous artists and MNHN specialists makes this festival a hybrid event, where digital art serves to popularize science. Families come to be amazed, but also leave with precise anecdotes about nature.

According to our investigation, the designers were directly inspired by the great Asian immersive projections, while adapting their narrative to the academic spirit of the Jardin des Plantes. The result is a very different atmosphere from other Parisian light events, which are often more decorative than educational. Here, scientific expertise forms the common thread of a stroll in which each stage tells a luminous story of the living world.

A total sensory experience

In previous editions, the magic began as soon as you entered: the scent of decorated pine trees, a carefully crafted soundtrack, lights designed to be easy on the eyes. Since January 2025, the organizers have been announcing their intention to enhance the 360-degree sensations. It’s no longer just a matter of seeing giant sculptures, but of feeling vibrations, sounds, and sometimes manipulating interactive devices.

Unlike purely contemplative installations, “Lumières de la Nature” encourages interaction. Visitors are invited to trigger luminous reactions by walking or blowing on certain modules. These experiments are based on simple physical principles (photochemical reactions, phosphorescence stimulated by movement) and allow visitors to learn by playing. The organizers insist that this pedagogical aspect is crucial to capturing the attention of children while delighting adults.

“This event is unique because it’s not just aesthetically pleasing: it showcases scientific discoveries in an artistic way. It’s a rare and precious thing,” explains Philippe Gaubert, a biology researcher at MNHN.

Looking at the attendance figures from previous years, the snowball effect is clear: this event is becoming a must at Parisian festivals. Last year, almost 400,000 curious visitors strolled the aisles of the Jardin des Plantes during the winter. For 2025-2026, logistics teams are already working on a fluid distribution of flows, with refined time slots and compulsory online reservations.

Parisians look forward to the event

On our last visit, even outside the illumination period, the logistical signs were visible: electrical preparation, wiring zones, marked assembly areas. This confirms the growing importance of this production. Regular visitors know that early booking is crucial, as some December weekends sell out within hours. This constraint is proof of the status this event has acquired as a cultural showcase.

Tourism professionals agree: “En voie d’illumination” is now in the same league as Europe’s major Christmas markets. The difference lies in its ability to make the most of a scientific heritage site in the heart of Paris. This unique model attracts both local families and foreign tourists in search of off-the-beaten-track experiences.

“This event is a dream for Paris tourism: it combines heritage, science and nocturnal wonder. Rarely has a concept found such a balance,” observes Élodie Martinez, expert in culture and events.

An evolving tradition

Since its launch in 2018, the concept has changed theme every year: oceans, extinct species, tiny worlds. This rotation prevents visitors from getting bored, and keeps them coming back for more. The 2025-2026 edition remains true to this logic, exploring the fascinating frontier of natural light phenomena. Everything points to the most technologically advanced scenography ever conceived, driven by the use of immersive videomapping.

From a practical point of view, the event remains positioned as a winter family outing, with daily evening openings. Rumors are rife of an enriched sound system, with acoustic spatialization in certain aisles. This would represent a qualitative leap forward for a walk that was sometimes criticized in its first editions for its minimalist sound accompaniment.

In addition to families, this event also appeals to digital art enthusiasts, who see it as a complement to immersive exhibitions in Paris. Unlike other commercial experiences, the MNHN’s scientific authority lends credibility to the discourse, reinforcing the educational value of the outing.

Practical information

Dates: November 12, 2025 to January 18, 2026. Location: Jardin des Plantes, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris. Metro: Gare d’Austerlitz (lines 5, 10, RER C), Jussieu (7, 10). Times: every evening, 6-10pm (last entry 9:15pm, subject to official confirmation). Tickets: expected to open in autumn 2025, online booking compulsory. Prices: to be confirmed (previous edition ~€16 adults, ~€12 children). Official website: jardindesplantesdeparis.fr.

Other prestigious events, such as the spectacular L’Oréal Paris 2025 fashion show, are also scheduled to take place in Paris. This synergy confirms the capital’s cultural vitality, between fashion, luminous art and scientific heritage. In the same vein, you can keep up to date with Parisian cultural news here: what to do in Paris and what to experience.