Thoiry Wild Lights 2026-2027: follow in the footsteps of Pachamama

Thoiry Wild Lights returns to WOW Safari Thoiry in the Yvelines for a 9th edition titled In the Footsteps of Pachamama: a nocturnal route of nearly 3 km and more than 3,000 illuminated sculptures, from October 17, 2026 to March 7, 2027.

Every autumn, we keep an eye out for the return of the lanterns at Thoiry Lumières Sauvages, and the 2026-2027 season doesn’t diverge from the rule. Having wandered the paths of the previous edition, we know what to expect: a true night walk, far from the noise of the capital. Head to the Yvelines (78), about 45 minutes from Paris, where the WOW Safari Thoiry lights up from October 17, 2026 to March 7, 2027.

This 9th edition totally flips the script from last year’s Bal des Esprits. This year we head In the Footsteps of Pachamama for a nearly 3-kilometer nocturnal journey, dotted with more than 3,000 illuminated sculptures, plus a twist that changes how you stroll: a free app that lets you follow the story in real time.

What story does this ninth edition of Thoiry Lumières Sauvages tell?

The park presents the event as the region’s biggest illuminated extravaganza, and this year the lights are put to work telling a real story. We follow an adventurer who has traveled the world in search of a forgotten secret. The animals seem to know the answer, the forests keep its memory, but humans, it appears, have misplaced it along the way.

A guiding question runs through the entire stroll: what connects all living beings? With every step, a new clue unfolds, a bit like reading a book whose pages you turn as you walk. The finale, for its part, stays carefully hidden until you reach the end of the trail.

The title still hints at something. In Andean cultures, Pachamama embodies Mother Earth, the nourisher who connects humans with the rest of the living world. What role does she play in the adventurer’s quest? That’s precisely the heart of the evening’s challenge, and we’ll refrain from giving away more.

What worlds unfold along the illuminated trail?

Giant animals, fantastical plants, and astonishing creatures pop up along the park’s walking paths, gardens, and maze. According to the official Thoiry Lumières Sauvages site, the adventurer’s route carries visitors through several landscapes from around the world:

the depths of the ocean,
the icy expanses of Greenland,
the steppes of Mongolia,
the sacred lands of India,
and finally Peru, where a pivotal encounter awaits the traveler.

What stood out for us last season was the sound design that accompanies each tableau. It returns this year and takes on even greater prominence, as light, sound and storytelling now move forward in tandem. The sculptures, handmade and clad in silk, have been in place since the start of summer, installed by a crew of around twenty artists, technicians and creators.

The WOW Animal Explorer app to accompany your walk

A major new feature for 2026, the free app WOW Animal Explorer guides your walk. Launched in June at WOW Safari Thoiry, it now offers a route devoted to Wild Lights, with exclusive content that deepens the explorer’s quest.

The system is simple. Download the app on iOS or Android, then start the Thoiry Lumières Sauvages trail (a Wi-Fi zone is provided on-site). Then just enable location services: the content automatically triggers at certain spots, with no scanning or photo-taking required, and no account creation. Don’t forget to stow a pair of earbuds in your pocket so you can listen to the stories without disturbing your fellow walkers.

Good news for those who prefer to keep their phone tucked away at the bottom of the bag: the app remains optional. The route can be enjoyed just fine without a screen, with your eyes to the sky.

What is the price of Thoiry Lumières Sauvages and how can you get there?

Access to the festival is included with the WOW Safari Thoiry daytime ticket, as well as with the Annual Pass. It lets you combine the self-drive safari, the walking park, and the night-time illuminations. To visit only in the evening, a special ticket offers the Lumières Sauvages ticket alone at €23 for adults (€25 from December 19, 2026 to January 2, 2027) and €19 for children for the entire season. Tickets can be purchased online or on-site, including the same day.

The trail generally opens from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the last entry at 8:15 p.m. Some evenings, the closing time is 8 p.m. (last entry at 7:15 p.m.), and at the start of the season a few nights begin at 6 p.m. Note that the event isn’t open every day, so check the opening calendar before hitting the road. On our most recent visit, it took us about two hours to complete the circuit, taking time to snap a few photos.

In terms of access, driving remains the most practical option: take the A13 from Porte d'Auteuil, then the A12 and the N12 toward Dreux, exiting at Thoiry. If you don’t have a car, the park’s site lists bus 78 from Mantes-la-Jolie, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, or Villiers-Neauphle-Pontchartrain, as well as carpooling options. Be sure to check the last bus timetable before you go, as the walk can run into the evening.

To warm up along the way, a chalet in the Pinched Tamarins zone serves waffles, crepes, hot drinks and snacks, while Café Delicio offers light meals in the evening. Restrooms are scattered along the route.

Who is this nighttime outing in the Yvelines for?

With its narrative thread and clues to uncover, this edition is aimed first at families. Kids follow the adventurer as if on a treasure hunt, while adults enjoy the show. It also works beautifully for couples or groups of friends, for an autumn evening off the beaten path, during the Toussaint holidays or as the season approaches. It can, moreover, complement your ideas for parcs et zoos à faire pour Halloween 2026.

Some precautions before you head out. The route is entirely outdoors, along an unmanaged forest path: dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear. It remains accessible to large-wheeled strollers and to people with reduced mobility using an adapted wheelchair. As for the animals, the path stays away from enclosures to respect their peace and quiet.

To stretch the day a little further in the department, our picks for weekend outings in the Yvelines and our guide What to do in the Yvelines are just what you need.

What other illuminated routes to discover in Île-de-France?

If the lantern displays have piqued your interest in doing it again, two more illuminated outings are worth checking out this season. In Paris, at the Bois de Vincennes, L'Odyssée Lumineuse 2026 au Parc Floral lights up with 1,200 lanterns and luminous fountains, a convenient option without leaving the capital. In Seine-et-Marne, Lumigny Safari de Lumières unveils a brand-new giant-lantern route, also nestled inside a wildlife park.

And to round out the season, our pick of the light festivals in Paris and Île-de-France highlights all the illuminated strolls to discover through spring.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.