Lights of Nature at the Jardin des Plantes, an Immersive Project Reinventing Biodiversity and Scientific Outreach

At the heart of Paris’s 5th arrondissement, the Jardin des Plantes, one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, is set for a spectacular winter metamorphosis. From November 12, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the 7th edition of « En voie d’illumination » unveils its theme « Lights of Nature, » an ambitious project curated by Estelle Tual for the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. In partnership with specialized studios like Cosmo AV for immersive projections and Yellow Salto for sound compositions, this installation explores natural light phenomena—bioluminescence, fluorescence, and incandescence—through four distinct thematic universes: mineral, terrestrial, marine, and celestial lights.

This nocturnal trail, designed for a 1.5- to 2-hour stroll along 2 kilometers of historic paths, blends cutting-edge technologies (3D holograms, UV lasers, projection mapping) with the Muséum’s iconic collections. Far from a mere festive event, it is a true educational project making the science of light—life’s vital force—accessible to all generations. Open evenings from 6 PM to 10 PM, accessible via Porte de Seine, it transforms the Jardin—founded in 1626 under Louis XIII—into a poetic laboratory where wonder meets education.

Genesis and Ambitions of the Project

Launched in 2018 as a creative response to traditional winter illuminations, « En voie d’illumination » quickly evolved into a deepened scientific and artistic endeavor. Estelle Tual, project lead at the Muséum with a master’s in cultural mediation, oversees the 2025 edition with a multidisciplinary team including cosmographers, biologists, and augmented reality engineers. Inspired by natural phenomena like firefly luminescence or coral fluorescence under UV, the « Lights of Nature » theme draws from recent research: for instance, studies on luciferin, the molecule behind 90% of marine bioluminescence, from the Muséum’s labs.

« The primary goal is to amaze in order to educate, » Tual states in the project’s design documents. « Light is more than aesthetic; it reveals life, from geology to stars. » The trail smartly repurposes existing infrastructure—century-old plane tree avenues, Grande Galerie de l’Évolution facades, exotic greenhouse glasshouses—as narrative supports. Cosmo AV deploys 200 high-definition laser projectors, while Yellow Salto crafts an organic soundtrack with animal cries, forest winds, and abyssal echoes, synchronized in real-time via AI. This project, tailored for winter 2025-2026, breaks from prior editions by adding tactile and subtle olfactory interactions, enhancing sensory immersion. Historically, the Jardin des Plantes, originally the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, has always bridged science and public; this initiative catapults it into the digital age.

Mineral Lights, Genesis of Geological Glow

The adventure begins at the main entrance, under a white light veil yielding to intense UV beams. Suddenly, 14 volumetric 3D holograms of iconic crystals—pink calcite from Morocco, blue sodalite from Afghanistan, veined aragonite—burst into spectacular fluorescences, drawn directly from the Muséum’s mineralogical reserves. These minerals, collected during 19th-century expeditions, reveal hidden hues under UV: intense pinks, electric blues, emerald greens, due to impurities activated by ultraviolet rays.

At the center stands a simulated 10-meter incandescent volcano, with projection mapping recreating a real-time eruption: orange lava cascading virtually, luminescent ash floating via hazes. This universe illustrates primitive incandescence, born from deep Earth thermal reactions. Visitors pass through a pulsing quartz tunnel, where sensors detect movements to modulate light intensity, mimicking residual phosphorescence. Scientifically, this space builds on Muséum mineralogists’ work, explaining how fluorescence reveals atomic structures—an uranium atom in autunite sparks vivid green, for example. The experience reimagines inert rocks as living entities, laying foundations for reflection on light as geological memory.

Terrestrial Lights, Bioluminescence of Living Forests

A smooth transition to luminescent forests, where the Grande Serre—once housing Buffon’s exotic collections—becomes a virtual Amazon jungle. 360° projections envelop the glass in dense foliage: Amazon with glowing mycorrhizal fungi, European forests with fireflies dancing to a handclap, Asian taigas with phosphorescent mosses. Virtual waterfalls stream down the panes, amplified by a symphony of crickets, owls, and winds via 50 directional speakers.

Paths light up with ground-level fluorescent mosses, leading to giant trees whose trunks pulse like hearts, synced to detected heartbeats. This universe celebrates terrestrial bioluminescence, rare yet fascinating: European fireflies (Lampyris noctiluca) use luciferase to attract mates, projected in giant slow-motion. The project subtly raises deforestation awareness—projections show forests dimming—linking art, ecology, and biology. Families marvel at discreet woody humus olfactory installations, learning luciferins’ ecosystem role without heavy didactics. Here, the Jardin des Plantes revives its botanical origins, transformed into an interactive nocturnal ecosystem.

Marine Lights, Hypnotic and Fragile Abysses

The imposing facades of the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution light up in abyssal blue: immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii), deep-sea anglerfish with luminous lures, vampire squid casting glows into Parisian darkness. Schools of luminescent plankton undulate in 3D holograms, paired with immersive underwater sounds—crackling bubbles, whale songs—emanating from historic arches. This universe evokes depths over 1,000 meters, where 90% of organisms produce their own light for hunting, camouflage, or communication.

Projection mapping on columns shows jellyfish pulsing in rhythm, inspired by Muséum specimens: the physalia’s blue sail, or Atolla wyvillei’s alarm flash. Blue hazes simulate ocean currents for total immersion. The project highlights marine fragility—plastic pollution dimming glows—with transitions to « extinguished » abysses, alerting without moralizing. A hypnotic moment fusing paleontology (Gallery skeletons) and contemporary marine biology, where light becomes a metaphor for oceans’ invisible life.

Celestial Lights, Final Cosmic Journey

Climax under a projected stellar dome: green and purple auroras dance over greenhouses, a 420 kg iron meteorite from Arizona gleams metallic, and a 5-meter giant 3D moon dominates the Parisian night sky. Projections of nebulae (Orion), comets, and supernovas explode in tactile interactivity—touch a panel to trigger a nova. This final universe loops the theme: stellar nuclear incandescence links Earth to the cosmos.

Cosmic light, traveling light-years, dialogues with the Muséum’s astronomical collections. Interactive constellations narrate scientific myths—luminescent Big Bang—educating on nuclear fusion. The experience elevates the gaze, turning paths into a poetic observatory.

Technical Backstage and Pioneering Innovations

A 50-technician team deploys 200 laser projectors, 100 km of eco-designed LED cables, and an AI network syncing 500 elements real-time. Estelle Tual collaborates with cosmographers for authenticity: volumetric holography for minerals marks a tech leap since 2018. AI adjusts intensity to crowd density, optimizing experience. R&D budget positions the Muséum as immersive mediation leader, with VR potential for future editions.

Pedagogical, Ecological, and Cultural Impact

Potentially welcoming 500,000 visitors, the project boosts permanent collections’ visibility, sparking intergenerational wonder and implicit ecological calls. Past editions report 30% daytime visit hikes. Outlook: quantum light or synthetic bio-labs.

Jardin Heritage and Forward Vision

Founded in 1626 for medicinal plant studies, the Jardin survived revolutions and wars; this project reinvents it as a digital winter hub. Amid climate change, « En voie d’illumination » proves science and magic dialogue to preserve luminous biodiversity. An invitation to rediscover Paris—and nature—under eternally luminous light!

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Gabriel MIHAI

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