Illuminated Evolution

This year, along the paths of the Jardin des Plantes and the Ménagerie, we will take you on a spectacular voyage through time.

Over a hundred new luminous structures, the fruit of the research and reconstruction work of the Muséum’s palaeontologists, represent the astonishing species that have inhabited the Earth over the last 600 million years. You will find there the “celebrities” of the past, such as dinosaurs, but also lesser-known species that will astound you with their astonishing forms and unique living habits.

All the species presented here existed in the past, but are now extinct.

Illuminated Evolution combines art, science and poetry.

Admire biodiversity from the past while letting the magic of the lights carry you away: an amazing experience!

The origins of life (3,700 to 490 million years ago)

The voyage starts from Place Valhubert with an immersion in Precambrian and Cambrian times. Between the formation of the Earth and the first evidence of life, there was a gap of nearly a billion years! And over the next 3 billion years, the life forms were very discreet and only to be found in the sea.

Primary era (490 to 250 million years ago)

The tour continues into the Palaeozoic era. Organisms started to adapt to the terrestrial environment: at first small plants, then animals, particularly insects and vertebrates.

Secondary era (250 to 66 million years ago)

The Mesozoic era heralded a boom in biodiversity, notably dinosaurs. These strange and sometimes gigantic “terrible lizards” reigned supreme during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Tertiary era (from 66 million years ago to the present time)

The walk ends in the Cenozoic era. Intensive volcanism and the impact of a giant meteorite greatly upset the biodiversity. Some species became extinct, like the non-avian dinosaurs and the ammonites. The mammals, which were very small until this point, became the most dominant of the terrestrial vertebrates and increasingly diversified.

An exhibition coproduced by the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle and China Light Festival.

Customer service

• illumination [@] mnhn.fr
• +33 1 40 79 56 00 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

Gourmet break

Several chalets, located in the heart of the night walk, offers winter specialties : hot wine, raclette, bretzels, french fries, sweet crepes and waffles…

Shop

Gift ideas for young and adults are to be discovered at the end of the tour.

Visit a Museum site at a discounted rate with your full rate Illuminated Evolution ticket. Offer valid 3 months after your visit at the following sites: Grande Galerie de l’Évolution [Gallery of Evolution] and the exhibition The Sensory Odyssey ; Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie comparée [Comparative Anatomy and Paleontology Gallery]; La Ménagerie, le zoo du Jardin des Plantes [Ménagerie, the zoo of the Jardin des Plantes]; Grandes Serres [Greenhouses]; Parc zoologique de Paris [Zoological Park of Paris]; Musée de l’Homme [Museum of Mankind] and the exhibition The Limits of Humanity.