Thoiry Lumières Sauvages
A magical 3 km luminous trail in the heart of Wow Safari Thoiry
2026
About Lumières Sauvages
Lumières Sauvages — edition 2026
The illuminated sculpture trail at Wow Safari Thoiry returns on Saturday, October 17, 2026, winding through the park's walking area and the château's botanical gardens. The walk takes about 90 minutes and begins at dusk. Access is included with your standard day ticket. The theme for this new season has not yet been announced.
2026-2027 Season
The Wow Safari Thoiry opening schedule, updated on July 23, 2026, lists the Thoiry Lumières Sauvages evenings starting Saturday, October 17, 2026. The current calendar runs until December 31, 2026; dates for January through March 2027 are not yet listed, and the park has not announced a closing date.
As of mid-August 2026, the official event page still displays information from the previous edition, "Le Bal des Esprits," which ran from October 17, 2025, to March 8, 2026. No theme, press kit, or new features have been released for the 2026-2027 season.
Access to the trail is included in the day ticket, which also grants entry to the drive-through safari and the walking zoo. The standalone evening-only ticket offered last season is not currently available for purchase.
Highlights Lumières Sauvages 2026
- Opening Saturday, October 17, 2026
- 57 evenings already scheduled through December 31, 2026
- Approx. 90-minute walking trail through the park and botanical gardens
- Access included with your day ticket
- 2026-2027 season theme yet to be revealed
Programme Lumières Sauvages 2026
2026-2027 Season Dates
The light trail opens on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The park's published schedule currently runs through December 31, 2026, featuring 57 evenings, which are listed below. The season's closing date has not yet been announced.
Saturday, October 17 to Saturday, October 24, 2026
Open every evening.
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Light trail, last entry at 8:00 PM
- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Walking zoo and drive-through safari
Sunday, October 25 to Sunday, November 1, 2026
Open every evening.
- 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Light trail, last entry at 8:00 PM
- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Walking zoo and drive-through safari
November 2026
The park is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, except for November 9 and 10.
- Wednesday, November 4 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Friday, November 6 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 7 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, November 8 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Monday, November 9 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, November 10 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, November 11 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Friday, November 13 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 14 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, November 15 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, November 18 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Friday, November 20 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 21 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, November 22 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, November 25 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Friday, November 27 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 28 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, November 29 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
The walking zoo and safari are open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with ticket offices closing at 4:00 PM.
December 2026
- Wednesday, December 2 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Friday, December 4 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, December 5 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, December 6 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, December 9 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Friday, December 11 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, December 12 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, December 13 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, December 16 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Friday, December 18 · 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, last entry at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, December 19 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, December 20 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Monday, December 21 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Tuesday, December 22 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, December 23 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Thursday, December 24 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Friday, December 25 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, December 26 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, December 27 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Monday, December 28 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Tuesday, December 29 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, December 30 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
- Thursday, December 31 · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, last entry at 8:00 PM
From December 19 to 31, the trail is open every evening. The walking zoo and safari are open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on December 25, when they are open from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
On the Trail
The walk takes place on foot through the park and the château's botanical gardens, lasting about 90 minutes. For the 2025-2026 season, the park featured a 3 km route spanning over 6 hectares, with 3,000 illuminated sculptures, over 20,000 LED bulbs, and a soundtrack playing along the path. The theme and specific figures for the 2026-2027 season have not been released as of mid-August 2026.
Dining
Several fast-food outlets are available in the walking park depending on the season; opening hours are displayed on information screens at the entrance. Picnics are permitted in designated areas. Drinking water fountains are located throughout the park.
Accessibility
Strollers (€9), wheelchairs (€15), and electric scooters (€20) can be rented for the day. These must be booked online for your chosen date and collected at the Passport Office or the shop, with a security deposit via credit card imprint of €50, €150, and €200 respectively. The reduced rate for visitors with disabilities is €22 upon presentation of proof. Scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, and bicycles are prohibited; pets are not allowed.
Booking
Tickets can be purchased at billetterie.thoiry.net, at the park's walking and safari ticket offices, at the automated kiosks at the entrance to the walking park (credit card only), or through resellers and works councils. With a dated ticket, no prior reservation is required. Parking at the entrance to the estate is free and unmonitored.
Prices Lumières Sauvages 2026
Liberty Ticket (undated, valid until December 31, 2026): Adult (11+) €34 · Child (3-10) €25 · Visitor with disabilities €22
Smart Ticket (purchased at least 7 days in advance, valid for the selected date or the following day): Adult €30 · Child €21 · Visitor with disabilities €18
Family Pack (dated, 2 adults and 3 children): €118
At the park ticket offices: Adult €34 · Child €25 · Visitor with disabilities €22
Annual Pass: Adult €89 · Child €69 · Visitor with disabilities €65
Free for children under 3 with proof of age.
Bush Truck: €10 supplement to the entry ticket.
The evening-only ticket offered during the 2025-2026 season is not available for the 2026-2027 season.
Practical information — Lumières Sauvages
Practical Information
Access
By car: Take the A13 from Porte d’Auteuil towards Rouen, then follow the A12 and N12 towards Dreux. Take the Thoiry exit, then follow the D76 and D11. GPS coordinates: 48.8634 / 1.79788. Allow 45 minutes from Paris, 20 minutes from Versailles, and 30 minutes from Giverny. The car park at the entrance to the estate is free and unsupervised; camper vans may park overnight, though there are no water hookups or waste disposal facilities.
By bus: Take line 78 from the Mantes-la-Jolie, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, or Villiers – Neauphle – Pontchartrain train stations, getting off at the Thoiry stop. The safari is toured by car: if you do not have a vehicle, you must book a seat on the bush truck.
Opening Hours
The light trail is not open every day and operating hours vary by season. The day-by-day calendar is available on thoiry.net under the Calendar and Hours page. The light trail walk takes approximately 1.5 hours, the car safari about 1 hour, and the walking park about 3 hours.
Tickets
Purchase tickets at billetterie.thoiry.net, at the walking park and safari ticket offices, at the kiosks at the entrance to the walking park (credit card only), or via resellers and works councils (CSE). Payment methods accepted include cash, cheques, credit cards, American Express, and ANCV holiday vouchers; E-ANCV vouchers are only accepted online. Restaurant vouchers are not accepted. With a dated ticket, no prior reservation is required.
On-site Facilities
Several fast-food outlets, picnic areas, and drinking water fountains are available. Strollers (€9), wheelchairs (€15), and electric scooters (€20) are available for rent; these should be booked online and collected from the Passport Office or the gift shop. Pets, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, and bicycles are not permitted.
Contact
Wow Safari Thoiry, 78770 Thoiry. Phone: 01 34 87 40 67. General inquiries: [email protected]. Groups of over 20 people: [email protected]. Les Nuits de Thoiry accommodation: [email protected]. Complaints: [email protected].
Thoiry Lumières Sauvages: A Magical Night Journey
Since 2018, Thoiry Lumières Sauvages has transformed the Wow Safari Thoiry into one of the most spectacular luminous events in France. From mid-October to early March, as night falls, a 3-kilometer trail dotted with nearly 3,000 luminous sculptures invites visitors on a dreamlike and musical stroll through the botanical gardens, the walking park, and the famous labyrinth of the Thoiry estate.
Exceptional Handcrafted Works
Each luminous sculpture is a unique work of art, entirely handcrafted and covered in silk. The creation process involves dozens of artisans who shape monumental structures—fantastic creatures, mythological figures, dreamlike scenery—with a precision and attention to detail that give the trail exceptional visual quality. The entire experience is enhanced by an immersive sound design that accompanies visitors throughout their journey.
A Renewed Theme Each Season
One of the major attractions of Thoiry Lumières Sauvages is the complete renewal of its theme each year. After exploring universes of travel, fairy tales, nature, and civilizations, the 8th edition (2025-2026) presents "Le Bal des Esprits" (The Spirits' Ball), a trail inspired by the Mexican Día de los Muertos and global rituals related to memory and remembrance. The luminous sculptures celebrate life, death, and festivity in a whirlwind of color, music, and dance.
A Major Family Event in Île-de-France
Thoiry Lumières Sauvages is designed for all audiences, from children to adults. The accessible and safe trail is designed to amaze children while offering adults a contemplative and poetic experience. The event has become one of the most popular winter outings in Île-de-France, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each season from across the region and beyond.
Unusual Accommodation: Sleep Amidst the Lights
To extend the experience, Wow Safari Thoiry offers unusual accommodation in the heart of the estate: the Lodges and Terres d'Afrique accommodations allow for an immersive overnight stay close to the animals and luminous installations, for an unforgettable family or couples' getaway.
Where does it take place — Lumières Sauvages
Lumières Sauvages in brief
History of Lumières Sauvages
Edition 2025 Oct 2025Other festivals near Thoiry
Festival-goer reviews
No review yet. Be the first!
No rating yet — be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Have you spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)