You don’t know where to go in December in France? Come and discover the Festival of Lights in Lyon which has been taking place every year since 1999 (except in 2020 because of the health crisis). Whether you were born in Lyon, adopted this 2000-year-old city, or have it at heart, December 8 is a tradition. It’s the day when we put luminous lights on our windowsills and, for the last few years, when we stroll through the streets to discover surprising and magical light effects and shows.
This year, the event will begin on the evening of Wednesday, December 8, with illuminations and animations planned from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm on the first two days, while on Friday and Saturday evenings the route will be open from 8:00 pm until midnight. The Festival of Lights is a key moment for any tourist who comes in December and want to discover the capital of Gaul.
Beyond the emblematic sites traditionally hosting the illuminations and scenographies such as the Saint-Jean cathedral, the Fourvière hill or the Bellecour square, new places will be invested such as the Romain Rolland quay which runs along the Saône river on the side of the Old Lyon, or the Blandan park in the 7th district.
In this post, I’ll give you a little history of this event, then I’ll let you discover an overview of the program which is very promising.
The Festival of Lights has its origin in the inauguration was scheduled for 8 September, the date of the traditional procession of Aldermen, but flooding delayed delivery of the statue. The event was therefore postponed to 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. But one again, official ceremonies had to be abandoned due to inclement weather. Seeing the weather improve as night fell, the people of Lyon spontaneously placed lit candles on their window sills and balconies, a symbol of the people coming together in a spirit of solidarity. The tradition of 8 December continued over the following decades and the citizens of Lyon are now very attached to this popular annual event.
You can visit the website to get more information about the program.
From the cosmos, the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoalt arrives on Earth in human form. Starving and weakened after his exploration, he meets a rabbit who sacrifices himself so that he can feed. This is a beautiful story and a wonderful illumination, I can’t wait to discover it!
This illumination represents an imposing Phoenix inspired by the mythical animal that came to land in Lyon, to convey a message of hope and rebirth.
At nightfall, on the magnificent Place Bellecour, come and watch the spectacle of hundreds of scales rising, undulating in a light breeze. Like a wave, it rises from the ground. In this contemplation, let yourself be carried away in a poetic parenthesis.
This place is transformed into a garden of light, in reference to the former Place de l’Impératrice, whose initial layout was composed of groves and flowers. Each corner is richly decorated with bouquets of flowers and lights.
In the manner of the symbolist painters of the 19th century, the light design projected on the facades represents a fantastic fauna and flora.
Walking along the tree-lined banks of the Rhone River, you will find majestic carp, swimming overhead! I find this incredible!
I recommend meeting the mythical creature that has lived in the park’s lake for thousands of years! Like a gigantic sea serpent, it comes out at night to wander among you, its body twisting in the middle of a field of lotus flowers, symbols of sweetness and soul.
This year, the Festival of Lights will offer your children the bright playground they’ve been dreaming of. As a family, wake up your playful soul.
Located at the top of the Part-Dieu Tower, the Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon offers a panoramic view of the city center and the Alps. This hotel combines modern architecture and sophisticated design. This elegant building also offers quality service for an unforgettable stay in Lyon.
Ideally located in the city center, the hotel is close to Lyon’s main tourist sites, such as the Old Lyon district, the Célestins Theater, the Fourvière hill, the Croix-Rousse hill and the banks of the Rhône. The Radisson Blu allows you to immerse yourself in this unique city by walking through the secret passages of Vieux Lyon or spending the evening in one of the city’s many nightclubs.
You can also admire the view of the city while sipping a cocktail at the Celest bar-restaurant on the 32nd floor. If you want to discover the French Alps, the vineyards of Beaujolais, the Festival of Lights, the Radisson Blu is just a streetcar stop away from the Lyon-Part-Dieu train station.
Nestled in the heights of Lyon, the Relais & Châteaux The Villa Florentine offers an exceptional panorama of the city of light. A former convent converted into a 5-star luxury hotel, ideally located in the historic district of the 5th arrondissement, the Villa Florentine offers exceptional services for a unique experience.
In every season, the hotel offers fantastic experiences for your stay: In fine weather, the panoramic terrace becomes the privileged theater of magnificent sunrises and sunsets over the city’s rooftops. In winter, the heated deckchairs in the wellness area invite you to curl up in a cocoon of softness, for a relaxing interlude out of time.
The Sofitel Lyon Bellecour enjoys an unrivaled location in downtown Lyon. If you are a culture lover, you are just a few minutes away from the Fourvière Basilica, the traboules, the Opera of Lyon, or the famous Confluences Museum. Restaurants and stores also animate the streets of the capital of gastronomy.
The Sofitel Lyon Bellecour offers 5-star service in downtown Lyon. Its panoramic view of the Rhone River is exceptional from its high floors. It is easily accessible from St-Exupéry airport and close to both Perrache and Part-Dieu TGV stations. You will be charmed by the magic of the Festival of Lights and the Nights of Fourvière festival.
Don’t hesitate to contact our team for more informations.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will make you want to discover this magnificent Festival of Lights…
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