The Festival of lights is a pretty special event and has been held for more than 150 years in the city of Lyon.
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Guide to Lyon and the Festival of lights
The Festival of Lights, or “Fête des Lumières” in French, is an annual celebration that lasts four days and takes place in Lyon. Lyon is a beautiful and historic city located in France. The city is known for its rich culinary tradition, impressive architecture, and vibrant culture.
This event is pretty special and has been held for more than 150 years in the city of Lyon.
This unique event combines art, history, music and culture.
Over time, the festival has grown and today has become an international event the attracks many visitors from all over the world.
The festival provides an opportunity for artists and designers to showcase their work and talent.
The Festival of Lights lasts four days and takes place each year from the 5th of December to the 8th of December.
The Festival of Lights is completely free. It attracts about four million visitors attend the festival each year.
History of the Festival of Lights
The legend has it that in 1643, the city of Lyon was struck by the bubonic plague. The people of Lyon prayed Virgin Mary for protection and promised in exchange to honor her every year on September 8th if the city was saved.
Long story short, the city was saved and the people of Lyon kept their promise by honoring each year on September 8th Virgin Mary.
This tradition continued for many years until 1852.
In 1852, a statue of Virgin Mary was suppose to be erected on the 8th of september on the Fourvière Hill in Lyon. However, due to the flood of the rivier Saône, the celebration had to be reported.
On the 8th of December 1852, the weather was pretty bad and the celebration was going to be cancelled once again. However, the skies cleared up, the statue was errected, and the people of Lyon illuminated their window sills with candles.
The Festival of Lights has gained in popularity over the years and became over time an important cultural event in Lyon.
By doing this, you’ll save time, and money, and avoid the stress of trying to figure everything out on the fly.
Significance of the Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is a celebration of light, creativity, and community.
During this Festival people come together, celebrate the beauty of the city and the love of culture, heritage, and history.
It’s a great time to see people gather, exchange and meet.
Light displays
The light displays are the main attraction of the Festival of Lights.
At night during the Festival, the city transforms into a dazzling display of light, with buildings, monuments, and public spaces illuminated in various colors and designs.
The best part is that most light displays are accompanied by music that flows with the display.
The festival also provides an economic boost to the city, as it attracts millions of visitors each year. The festival creates jobs and opportunities for local businesses, and it helps to promote Lyon as a cultural and tourist destination.
What to do during the day
While you’re waiting for the magic to happen at night there’s a few things you can do the following things :
1. Visit the old city of Lyon
Vieux Lyon, or Old Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of the city’s most historic buildings and landmarks.
Stroll through the narrow streets, admire the stunning Renaissance-era architecture, and explore the many boutiques, restaurants, and cafes that make this district so charming.
2. See the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a stunning example of architecture.
The Basicilica over looks the whols is city and the view from the terrace is breathtaking.
3. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon is the place to visit if you like fine arts.
If you decide to check out the Museum of Fine Arts you’ll be able to see some of Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh work. It’s definetly worth the detour.
4. Take a Boat Tour
One of the best ways to see Lyon is from the water. Take a boat tour along the Saône or Rhône rivers, and admire the city’s architecture and landmarks from a new perspective.
5. Visit the Roman Amphitheater
The Roman Amphitheater is a very impressive site. It was build in the fisrt century AD and was used mainly for gladiatorial contestes and other shows.
6. Go for some shopping
Lyon has amazing shopping and you can find great little boutiques, as well as, big brand stores.
7. Go to the Halles
The Halles of Lyon is basically a giant market where you can buy fine food and eat directly onsite. There’s everything from oysters, fish, meet, cheese, bread, ….
Tips for the Festival of Lights
1. Dress extra warm
The Festival of lights takes place in December and it can get very cold at night.
To make sure you can stay out as long as you want and remain confortable bring gloves, thermal wear, a coat, a winter hat, and a scarf.
2. Use public transport
At night the city is closed to trafic during the Festival. Basically besides walking or biking the only way to get around is public transport.
I’ve seen people try to get around with scooters or cars but I’d strongly advise against it, as most roads are closed off and there are a lot of crowds.
3. Stay in the city center
As said the center will be closed off to traffic. The best way to make the most out of your time in Lyon is to stay in the center and close to a metro stop.
4. Get a map of the lights displays
The Festival happens in the whole city and it’s easy to get a little lost. Get yourself a map of the light displays going on to make sure you get to see everything you’d like.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lyon is a beautiful and historic city with plenty of things to see and do. Whether you’re interested in food, art, history, or culture, Lyon has something for everyone. So why not plan a trip and discover the Festival of lights and all that this amazing city has to offer?
