Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 at Jardin Yili: a Chinese night-time event in Yvelines

The Jardin Yili, the only traditional Chinese garden in France, hides away in Saint-Rémy-l'Honoré, in the Yvelines (78), about forty kilometers from Paris. We’ve already wandered its paths in broad daylight, among cedar-wood kiosks and ponds bordered with bonsai. Now the venue unveils a completely different side, for a nocturne of the Moon Festival, Saturday, September 26, 2026 starting at 8 p.m.

The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, falls this year on Friday, September 25, 2026—the 15th day of the 8th lunar month—when the full moon shines brilliantly. The Yili Night extends the celebration the following evening, in the wake of this perfectly round moon, so cherished by the Chinese tradition.

For one evening, the garden trades daylight for the glow of lanterns. As you stroll the grounds, storytelling and legends, music and a tea ceremony weave through the pavilions and pools. Here's what the nocturnal programme has in store.

The late-night schedule

• Chinese lantern tales and legends, by the Autumn Leaves Collective
• Tea ceremony and mooncake tasting, with the mooncakes—wait, keep consistent: Actually bold is around gâteaux de lune; ensure transliteration. Let's correct:

Oops, I made a slip. Need to include exactly the same structure with the bold around gâteaux de lune. Let's rewrite properly:

• Chinese lantern tales and legends, by the Autumn Leaves Collective
• Tea ceremony and tasting of mooncakes, with the Association HEYI
• Ethno-ambient concert by UJJAYA
• With the participation of the Suzhou Huanyuan Cultural Center

• To be read
• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France, September 7–13, 2026

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Under the moniker UJJAYA hides Hery Randriambololona, a French ethno-ambient musician based in the Paris region. Gongs, singing bowls, ritual flutes and dan nguyet (the famed Vietnamese moon guitar) craft a hushed, intimate soundscape, tailored for a contemplative night under the stars.

The Yili Garden is worth a visit in its own right. Opened in 2004 by Shi Kang and her husband Qunwei, it unfurls across nearly 10,000 square meters a cultured garden, a peony garden and a bonsai garden, with pavilions imported from China, bridges and granite statues. Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism mingle among the pavilions, making it an ideal setting for a lantern-lit celebration.

Admission to the night opening is €12, with free entry for children under 8. The event runs by reservation, with payment on-site: it’s best to book in advance via the Jardin Yili Facebook page. The garden is located in Saint-Rémy-l'Honoré (78690); expect about a 45-minute drive from Paris, or travel from Montparnasse to Montfort-l'Amaury-Méré station, then a short car transfer for the final kilometres. As it’s an evening event, bring a light jacket and sturdy shoes to stroll the grounds in the cool air.

Our verdict: this nocturnal event is aimed at lovers of Chinese culture, curious visitors seeking a refreshing escape near Paris, and families, with the youngest enjoying stories and lanterns. Between tea, music and mooncakes, the evening mainly invites relaxation and a sense of travel, just a stone's throw from the capital. A charming moment to discover before autumn's first chills.

Want to keep exploring the Yvelines? Here are two more travel ideas to transport you out of the ordinary in the department: the Endesumar Medieval Festival 2026, for a true leap back in time, and our round-up of outings in the 78 to fill an entire weekend.