A multidirectional optical apparatus for a WDM optical network, the multidirectional optical apparatus comprising: a first multiple-inputs multiple-outputs wavelength selective switch, the first MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM inputs, each WDM input for receiving a plurality of optical signals carried on a plurality of wavelength channels, the first MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM outputs, wherein, for a WDM output, the first MIMO WSS is adapted to select a respective set of optical signals, as a function of a configuration state and wavelength channels, among the pluralities of optical signals received by the plurality of WDM inputs of the first MIMO WSS, and to pass the selected set of optical signals to the WDM output, a second multiple-inputs multiple-outputs wavelength selective switch, the second MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM inputs, each WDM input for receiving a plurality of optical signals carried on a plurality of wavelength channels, the second MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM outputs, wherein, for a WDM output, the second MIMO WSS is adapted to select a respective set of optical signals, as a function of a configuration state and wavelength channels, among the pluralities of optical signals received by the plurality of WDM inputs of the second MIMO WSS, and to pass the selected set of optical signals to the WDM output, a plurality of optical receivers for demodulating optical signals, and a plurality of optical couplers, each optical coupler having a first coupler input connected to a respective one of the WDM outputs of the first MIMO WSS and a second coupler input connected to a respective one of the WDM outputs of the second MIMO WSS and a coupler output connected to a respective one of the optical receivers, a plurality of distributing components, each distributing component having an input for receiving a WDM input signal comprising a plurality of optical signals carried on a plurality of wavelength channels, a transit output and a drop output, wherein the distributing component is configured to pass the optical signals of the WDM input signal to the transit output and to the drop output in a selective or non-selective manner, wherein, for a first subset of the distributing components, the drop output is connected to a respective one of the WDM inputs of the first MIMO WSS and wherein the distributing components of the first subset are not connected to the second MIMO WSS, and for a second subset of the distributing components, the drop output is connected to a respective one of the WDM inputs of the second MIMO WSS, wherein the distributing components of the second subset are not connected to the first MIMO WSS. a first multiple-inputs multiple-outputs wavelength selective switch, the first MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM inputs, each WDM input for receiving a plurality of optical signals carried on a plurality of wavelength channels, the first MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM outputs, wherein, for a WDM output, the first MIMO WSS is adapted to select a respective set of optical signals, as a function of a configuration state and wavelength channels, among the pluralities of optical signals received by the plurality of WDM inputs of the first MIMO WSS, and to pass the selected set of optical signals to the WDM output, a second multiple-inputs multiple-outputs wavelength selective switch, the second MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM inputs, each WDM input for receiving a plurality of optical signals carried on a plurality of wavelength channels, the second MIMO WSS comprising a plurality of WDM outputs, wherein, for a WDM output, the second MIMO WSS is adapted to select a respective set of optical signals, as a function of a configuration state and wavelength channels, among the pluralities of optical signals received by the plurality of WDM inputs of the second MIMO WSS, and to pass the selected set of optical signals to the WDM output, a plurality of optical receivers for demodulating optical signals, and a plurality of optical couplers, each optical coupler having a first coupler input connected to a respective one of the WDM outputs of the first MIMO WSS and a second coupler input connected to a respective one of the WDM outputs of the second MIMO WSS and a coupler output connected to a respective one of the optical receivers, a plurality of distributing components, each distributing component having an input for receiving a WDM input signal comprising a plurality of optical signals carried on a plurality of wavelength channels, a transit output and a drop output, wherein the distributing component is configured to pass the optical signals of the WDM input signal to the transit output and to the drop output in a selective or non-selective manner, wherein, for a first subset of the distributing components, the drop output is connected to a respective one of the WDM inputs of the first MIMO WSS and wherein the distributing components of the first subset are not connected to the second MIMO WSS, and for a second subset of the distributing components, the drop output is connected to a respective one of the WDM inputs of the second MIMO WSS, wherein the distributing components of the second subset are not connected to the first MIMO WSS.