Every winter, light displays multiply in Paris and the Île-de-France region. After Thoiry Lumières Sauvages, Lumières en Seine, and the Jardin des Plantes light festival, it's time to check out the "Lueurs de Mantes." Now in its third year and free to visit in Mantes-la-Jolie from Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, this winter event invites young and old alike to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of this commune in the Yvelines department through a unique trail combining light displays and digital art spread across the city's iconic locations.
The third edition of Lueurs de Mantes, led by Mayor Raphaël Cognet, continues its ambition to promote the city's cultural and natural heritage. This year, the format has changed with a tighter schedule covering two weeks and three weekends, compared to a month and a half in previous editions. The tour invites young and old alike to an immersive nighttime exploration that combines the old and the new, less than an hour from Paris.
The route takes in the iconic sites of Mantes-la-Jolie, with light displays and digital installations that highlight the town's architectural and natural heritage. Visitors can discover illuminated works of art as they stroll through the city center, from Square Gabrielle d'Estrées to the Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, passing by the Saint-Maclou Tower and the banks of the Seine.
Although the program for this year's event has not yet been announced, in previous years, artists have transformed Place Saint-Jacques, Square Gabrielle d'Estrées, Place Armand Cassan, Centre Hélène-Touvay, Pavillon Duhamel, Quai des Cordeliers, Place du Marché Val Fourré and Square du Château. This year, the route promises new surprises with original creations.
Big news for 2026: the drone show will now open the festivities instead of closing them. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at nightfall, thousands of spectators will gather around the Mantes bridge to watch this Drone Light Show above the Seine.
This year, Dronisos, the official partner of Disneyland Paris, is taking the helm. This Gironde-based company is the world leader in drone shows for amusement parks. It created the famous Disney D-Light in 2022 and set a world record on July 14, 2024, with 1,571 drones forming the head of Mickey Mouse. The original music accompanying the show is by Camille Rocailleux, a composer known for his collaborations with Benjamin Biolay and Judith Chemla, as well as for his film soundtracks.
During the second edition in 2024-2025, no fewer than 29 national and international artists took part in the event, including Nicolas Osmont, Guillaume Marmin, Pia Vidal, Dan Acher, Nicolas Paolozzi, and the LAPS Group. Nine light installations were unveiled, including three original creations: Door to Door, Connexion, and Stimulliii. This new edition promises new installations that will enhance Mantes-la-Jolie's heritage.
Alongside the illuminations, the Scintillons are making a comeback. These poetic projections of benevolent messages enhance the blind gables of the buildings in the city center, adding a final touch of poetry. These small touches of light scattered throughout the city add an intimate and warm dimension to the route.
Visitors also enjoyed the LAPS Game at the previous edition. This interactive, bright, and free XXL playground for all ages offered activities such as Line 4, Templar, Spider Hunt, Lightboom, and Light Reflex. If this event returns, it will once again delight young and old alike.
For the mayor of Mantes-la-Jolie, Raphaël Cognet, Lueurs de Mantes is much more than just a light show. This event was designed to bring beauty to the heart of the city because, as he points out, "beauty does good," especially at this time of year when the streets are dark. The aim is also to awaken an appreciation for beauty in young people by offering an accessible and free cultural experience that is open to all.
Mantes-la-Jolie, a town steeped in history in the Yvelines department, deserves to be highlighted in a new light. Through this event, the municipality wants to raise awareness of Mantes in a different way, particularly among those who know little or nothing about it. The idea is also to extend the activities to different neighborhoods in order to showcase the whole town and reveal all its facets.
This light trail is part of an economic and social initiative. By attracting visitors, it helps local businesses, particularly restaurants and shops in the town center, to benefit from an upturn in activity. Finally, the event reflects a desire not to seek "bling-bling" effects, but to create moments where the past and present come together in a spirit of camaraderie and community.
With the opening drone show piloted by Disney's partner and the immersive light installations, Lueurs de Mantes is designed to delight, inspire, and bring people together. If you missed the first editions or simply want to discover the new works, then head to Mantes-la-Jolie from January 15 to February 1, 2026, to experience the excitement of Lueurs de Mantes, a wonderful discovery to enjoy with family or friends.
The course is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as every day during school holidays, from dusk until 10 p.m. Access is free of charge. To get toMantes-la-Jolie Town Hall, located at 31 rue Gambetta in the Yvelines, allow less than an hour from Paris. You will find all the practical information you need on the official Mantes-la-Jolie website.
Dates and Opening Time
From January 15, 2026 to February 1, 2026
Location
Mantes-la-Jolie Town Hall
31 Rue Gambetta
78200 Mantes la Jolie
Prices
Free
Official website
www.manteslajolie.fr
More information
Free access
