The Fête des Lumières began on 8 December 1852 when Lyon residents placed candles in colored glasses on their window sills to celebrate the installation of a Virgin Mary statue on Fourvière Hill. Entire districts lit up, transforming building facades into a light show. To commemorate this event, the people of Lyon celebrate the lighting of their city every year on the days surrounding 8 December, showcasing its living heritage. Light symbolizes the city’s renewed identity and takes visitors on a poetic journey filled with magic and dreams.

The festival highlights the heritage of Presqu’île and Vieux-Lyon, illuminating Renaissance facades and majestic buildings. Thanks to artists’ creations, Lyon’s most beautiful buildings serve as the backdrop for huge, magical “son et lumière” installations, making them appear visible or invisible. Light is now an integral part of Lyon’s identity, revealing the beauty of its architecture and creating magnificent nocturnal landscapes.

Dates of the previous/upcoming edition: 05-07 December 2024