The Luminous Odyssey
Magical luminous trail at Parc Floral de la Source in Orléans
About Luminous Odyssey
The Luminous Odyssey is an immersive nocturnal exhibition that transforms the Parc Floral de la Source in Orléans into a realm of light and magic. Created by 1001 Lumières, this magical experience offers a nearly 2 km trail dotted with 1,000 monumental hand-painted silk lanterns, luminous animal and plant sculptures, recreated auroras borealis, and live performances. A poetic journey between ancestral Chinese art from Zigong and contemporary LED technologies, accessible to the whole family.
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A Magical Immersion in an Ocean of Light
The Luminous Odyssey invites visitors to dive into an extraordinary nocturnal experience within the Parc Floral de la Source, one of Orléans' botanical jewels. Created by the company 1001 Lumières, this traveling exhibition has captivated hundreds of thousands of spectators across France — at Parc Floral de Paris, Parc Bordelais de Bordeaux, Limoges, Montpellier, and Château de Flaugergues — before setting its lanterns down for the first time in the capital of Loiret.
1,000 Monumental Lanterns and 200 Luminous Installations
The trail extends for nearly two kilometers through the park's paths and gardens, marked by 1,000 monumental lanterns and around 200 luminous installations. The sculptures, some exceeding 20 meters in height, are crafted using an ancestral Chinese art originating from the city of Zigong, in Sichuan province: metal frames covered with hand-painted silk by about forty artisans, illuminated by low-consumption LEDs. The installation required 50 kilometers of cables, 30 semi-trailers of equipment, and approximately two weeks of assembly by twenty technicians.
A Luminous Bestiary and Enchanting Universes
Throughout the walk, visitors traverse various themed universes: an animated farm, an African savanna populated by elephants and giraffes, a mysterious jungle with koalas, red pandas, lemurs, and jaguars, colorful Japanese landscapes, and Indian atmospheres. The trail highlights endangered species — African elephants, Bengal tigers, white rhinos, Malayan tapirs — raising public awareness about the preservation of biodiversity. Thousands of luminous roses and sunflowers, countless fireflies dancing in the wind, and shimmering wheat fields complete this floral fantasy.
Auroras Borealis and Live Performances
One of the highlights of the trail is the recreation of majestic auroras borealis, a first for Orléans. Light projection devices create powerful, moving veils of light through the mist, shifting from fluorescent green to orange in the dark sky, immersing spectators in an atmosphere that is both soothing and enchanting. The ticket also includes a Chinese shadow puppet show and a luminous giant bubble show created by an artist, blending magic and poetry throughout the evening.
An Exceptional Setting at Parc Floral de la Source
The Parc Floral de la Source, classified as a Remarkable Garden and a Historic Monument, offers a 35-hectare natural setting enhanced by the luminous installations. The Loiret spring, usually discreet, is adorned with magical purple reflections for the occasion. The trail, fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, takes an average of 1 hour and 20 minutes to visit. Separate entrances and exits help manage visitor flow, and a refreshment area is available at the trail entrance.
Luminous Odyssey — edition 2026
First edition of The Luminous Odyssey in Orléans at Parc Floral de la Source, from February 6 to March 1, 2026. An immersive nearly 2 km trail with 1,000 monumental lanterns, 200 luminous installations, recreated auroras borealis, a Chinese shadow puppet show, and a giant bubble show. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Exceptionally closed February 9, 10, and 11.
Inaugural Orléans Edition — February-March 2026
For the first time in Orléans, The Luminous Odyssey transforms the Parc Floral de la Source into a magical realm of light from February 6 to March 1, 2026. The nearly 2 km trail features 1,000 monumental lanterns and around 200 luminous installations created by 40 artisans using the ancestral art of Zigong (Sichuan, China), with metal frames covered in hand-painted silk and illuminated by low-consumption LEDs.
Visitors walk through enchanting universes — an animated farm, an African savanna, an exotic jungle, Japanese and Indian landscapes — populated by luminous koalas, red pandas, lemurs, elephants, and wild horses. Thousands of luminous roses, sunflowers, and fireflies line the path. The exhibition highlights endangered species to raise awareness about biodiversity.
Among the highlights: the recreation of majestic auroras borealis, a first for the city, with veils of green and orange light crossing the mist. The ticket includes a Chinese shadow puppet show and a luminous giant bubble show.
The inaugural edition was a resounding popular success, attracting 6,000 to 7,000 visitors on the opening weekend alone.
Programme Luminous Odyssey 2026
Program for the Orléans 2026 Edition
- Luminous Trail: 1,000 monumental lanterns and 200 luminous installations over 2 km
- Auroras Borealis: immersive recreation with moving veils of light
- Chinese Shadow Puppet Show: included with admission ticket
- Giant Luminous Bubble Show: live performance by an artist creating enormous luminescent bubbles
- Opening Hours: 5:30 PM — last entry 9:30 PM — closing 10:00 PM
- Days: Tuesday to Sunday (daily during school holidays)
- Exceptional Closure: February 9, 10, and 11, 2026
Highlights Luminous Odyssey 2026
Highlights of the Orléans 2026 Edition
- First edition in Orléans at Parc Floral de la Source
- 1,000 monumental lanterns in silk hand-painted by 40 artisans from Zigong
- Recreated auroras borealis — a first in the city
- Monumental archway over 20 meters at the start of the trail
- 6,000 to 7,000 visitors on the first weekend
- Source of the Loiret enhanced by magical purple reflections
Prices Luminous Odyssey 2026
Practical information — Luminous Odyssey
Access
Parc Floral de la Source is located south of Orléans, in the La Source district. It is accessible by tram (line A, stop Université-Parc Floral) or by car via the Orléans-La Source exit of the A71. Address: Avenue du Parc Floral, 45100 Orléans.
Opening Hours
- Opening: 5:30 PM — last entry 9:30 PM — closing 10:00 PM
- Days: Tuesday to Sunday (daily during school holidays)
- Visit duration: approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
Prices
- Adult: 13 euros (dated ticket) / 18 euros (open ticket)
- Child (3-12 years): 11 euros (dated ticket) / 16 euros (open ticket)
- Unemployed: 10 euros (on-site only)
- Under 3 years: free
- People with reduced mobility (CMI card): free
Accessibility
The trail is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Ticketing
Tickets on sale online at odysseelumineuse.fr or on-site from 6:00 PM. Ticketing via Ticketmaster France. Group and CSE rates available upon request.
Contact
- Official website: odysseelumineuse.fr
- Parc Floral de la Source: 02 38 49 30 00
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Luminous Odyssey
Parc Floral de la Source
Avenue du Parc Floral, 45000 Orléans