Festival of Lights Paris 2023-2024
The Paris Festival of Lights is a must-festival of winter in Paris. After the success of the first four editions, named Espèces en Voie d’ Illumination (370,000 visitors in two months), Océan en Voie d’Illumination, Évolution en Voie d’Illumination, and Mini Mondes en Voie d’Illumination, the Jardin des Plantes will once again brighten up the festive year-end with this extraordinary Paris light show of giant sculptures.
If you visit Paris in December or January, don’t miss this wonderful night show; one of the best Festival of Lights in Paris this winter!
What is the Paris Festival of Lights?
The Festival of Lights Paris (Festival des Lumières in French) is a night exhibition that takes place at the Jardin des Plantes, one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris, located in the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement.
This Paris light festival is an enchanting experience for kids and adults, with monumental light structures set in the alleys and pitches of this beautiful garden.
This festival of lights at Jardin des Plantes always has a different subject, usually related to endangered species around the world.
READ MORE – Quick guide to Paris for Kids
Jardin des Plantes Paris Light Show 2023-24: La Jungle en Voie d’Illumination
After four brilliant seasons, the fifth edition of the Jardin des Plantes Festival of Lights 2023-2024 is named La Jungle en Voie d’Illumination. This exhibition is dedicated to the creatures and ecosystems living in the jungle and we are sure it will steal your heart.
During this night walk, visitors will immerse and discover the extraordinary diversity of rainforests and how the amazing ecosystems of our planet work.
Spread across four continents – Asia, Oceania, South America, Africa – the rainforests are home to more than half of the animal and plant species known in the world!
This open-air exhibition combines art, science, and poetry. Admire past biodiversity while letting yourself be carried away by the magic of lights.
The entrance to this exhibition is through Place Valhubert, and you must book your tickets online in advance.
Don’t miss the best exhibitions in Paris at this time of the year:
The Paris Light Festival – A Foretaste
Here’s a foretaste of what to expect in the Paris Festival of Lights 2023-2024 at Jardin des Plantes. Follow us on a magical moonlit stroll to discover some lovely sculptures from the previous exhibitions of this Paris Lights Festival.
Winter nights in Paris are cold, but we are sure that these giant lanterns (and perhaps a mug of vin chaud-mulled wine) will warm your heart!
Festival of Lights Paris 2023-2024 – Basic Information
» Location: Jardin des Plantes in Paris 5. The access is through 2 Place Valhubert (Seine River side). Closest Métro Stations: Gare d’Austerlitz lines 5 and 10.
» Opening times: every day from 22 November 2023 to 21 January 2024. Closed on 24 December.
» Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, outside school holidays: 6 pm – 10 pm. Friday-Saturday + school holidays: 6 pm – 10 pm. Visitors can access the Paris light show until one hour before the closing time.
» Tickets can be purchased only online and you will have to choose a time slot to access the park. Tickets are for a specific date and time slot, and they cost from 15€ (reduced price) to 18€ (full price). There are family discounts and free entrance for kids under three years.
Jardin des Plantes Festival of Lights 2023 – Our Best Tips
» For this light show, Paris is already in high season, warming up for the winter holidays, so be sure to book your tickets online well in advance.
» Avoid if possible the weekends and Christmas holidays. This festival is always a big success from the very first day and everybody wants to visit it!
» We are unsure about the best time to visit this Paris Light Festival. From 6 pm to 8 pm, overexcited kids are running everywhere, while later, there are fewer kids, but it’s much colder. Up to you, depending on what (cold vs. kids) you resist best!
» The Festival of Lights Paris 2023-2024 covers most of the surface of the park, so allow 1-1.5 hours to visit everything. Wear extra-warm clothes! – Check out what to pack for Paris in December
» We also recommend bringing a thermos flask with hot tea or similar to keep your body warm; Paris in the wintertime is cold!
» If you are traveling on a budget and don’t want to spend 15 €, you can see the giant lanterns during the day for free. However, they are not as beautiful as when they are lit up at night.
About the Jardin des Plantes in Paris
The Jardin des Plantes de Paris is a park and botanical garden located in the 5th district of Paris which opened to the public 400 years ago. In addition to the typical green spaces and flower beds, there is also a menagerie, greenhouses, several museums, food stands, and a carousel.
The Jardin des Plantes is great for kids and adults to learn about flowers and plants or just for a stroll.
What to Do Near the Jardin des Plantes in Paris?
