As winter approaches, cultural and tourist sites in Paris are deploying a new strategy to captivate the public: outdoor light trails. More festive than traditional exhibitions, these installations are becoming must-see events in major cities, attracting tens of thousands of visitors as night falls.
At the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, the event Jungle en voie d’illumination (Jungle on the Path to Illumination) takes visitors on a magical stroll among vibrant animals and a luminous mangrove tree. With a hundred structures, this trail stands out as one of the yearly highlights at the temple of natural sciences. The fifth edition, running until January 21, 2024, could set new attendance records, with projections of up to 300,000 visitors in two months. Cyril Roguet, the director of the Jardin des Plantes, points out the expanding audience, especially with more visitors aged 20 to 30 years. The trail, designed by scientists from the Museum, draws inspiration from the animals in The Jungle Book to showcase the richness of global biodiversity.
On the other side of the capital, the Parc de la Villette hosts L’art dans la nature (Art in Nature), an open-air light exhibition celebrating the legacy of Salvador Dali. Visitors are immersed in the dreamlike universe of the Spanish artist, with installations such as a giant snail and surreal clocks. Inaki Fernandez, head of the Spanish company LetsGo, describes it as an innovative blend of surreal artistic experience and visually impressive spectacle.
The Jardin d’Acclimatation offers Dragons et Lanternes (Dragons and Lanterns), a trail inspired by the Chinese New Year. Created by artisans from Shanghai, it spans 30,000 square meters and includes 60 large light structures. This initiative reflects the growing trend of specialized companies, such as China Light, in exporting their light installations across Europe.
These light trails provide an immersive experience blending sound and light, with various options for memorable selfies, not to mention hot wine and crepes. However, these exhibitions come at a cost, with entrance prices ranging from 15 to 20 euros per adult. The ecological aspect is also considered, with the use of reusable materials and LED lighting to limit energy consumption. These winter fairytales mark a turning point in Paris’s cultural and tourist offerings, mixing art, science, and entertainment while attracting a diverse audience. They embody a new form of urban spectacle, combining aesthetics and ecological commitment, and are redefining the winter evenings of the French capital.
With AFP
