The 2019 edition of the Festival of Lights in Lyon will take place from Thursday, December 5 to Sunday, December 8. Meet with the enchanting lights that illuminate the Capital of Gauls.
When I close my eyes and imagine Lyon, I see the many traboules that go through its historic quarter. I imagine, some spring afternoons, enjoying the first rays of Sun with friends in the midst of the ruins of Fourvière. What about these famous afterworks on the Quays of the Rhone? I see these magical and endeavored evenings on the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse. I see the many caps that made me love a simple but refined cuisine. From the top of the Fourvière Hill, I see the Sun rising behind the Alps and Mont Blanc, who watch over us as we watch over her children. I see a city full of surprises, where light plays a central role.
Lyon is a city in the enchanting setting, where time escapes us. It has a cultural heritage of the French. Nevertheless, UNESCO was not mistaken. In 1998, 500 hectares of the city had been registered in World Heritage. Therefore, its most emblematic neighbourhoods are now untouchable. They invite us all to a journey in time, from Roman Antiquity to our contemporary era.
From now on, the Festival of Lights is a major event for all Lyons. Every year, Lyon wears its light habit. Don’t doubt: in 2012, almost 4 million people visited Lyon during the 4 nights on which the Festival of Lights takes place.
Also read: The must-see in Lyon
What is the origin of the Festival of Lights in Lyon?
Photo credit: Shutterstock/ tianalima
Let's go back to the 17th century. In 1643, the first signs of a plague epidemic were felt in the South of France. After all, the South is not so far. The characteristic singing accent is about 50 kilometers. Until then, each generation of Lyons had to face one or more plague epidemics in his life. Real collective trauma.
On 8 September, the city's notables, municipal councillors and other ecclesiastical dignitaries, began a pilgrimage towards the Fourvière Hill. From the beginning of the Christian era, the Hill is the seat of a cult to the Virgin. They make the promise to pay tribute to Mary if the epidemic does not gain ground. Better: they are committed to renew it over time. The desire of the Lyon dignitaries is heard and the epidemic ends miraculously. With their promise, the Lyons chose the date of September 8 for their tribute to the Virgin.
It was only in 1852 that on the 8th of September the first gave way to the 8th of December. Indeed, on September 8, 1852, the Saône was crude, while a religious Signal was inaugurated on the summit of the Fourvière Hill. The festivities were repelled at 8 December, three months later. However, the weather is atrocious. The religious authorities are about to cancel the inauguration, but the bad weather suddenly ceases. In a spontaneous way, many Lyons put a candle in their window to thank the Virgin. This tradition, which has continued today in Lyon and its entire region, sees the birth of the Festival of Lights.
Every December 8th and from the fall of the night, tens of thousands of windows are dressed in the light of simple lights.
The Festival of Lights since 1999
The Festival of Lights is changing from 1999. Artists and students take part in the game by creating points of interest around the light. In reality at this time, the holiday takes place in all quarters.Little by little, the creators are interested in how to dress the buildings of the city. The space of a few days, both urban furniture and a lambda building can become a support of wonders. Festivities: the Cathedral of Saint John, the Basilica of Fourvière seen from the Quays of Saône, Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux.
However, since the 2015 attacks in Paris (a year when the festivities have not taken place since 1643), security has been raised to a maximum level. While the events took place in the entire city, they are now grouped in a well-defined area. Although this decision has been contested, it now allows everyone to enjoy this free show. In 2012, 4 million visitors were hitting the streets of Lyon while they were only 2 million in 2018.
What to see and what to do in Lyon for the Festival of Lights?
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / Nicotrex
Traditionally, six central points should be retained:
- Place Bellecour. With 62 000 m2 and its red sand, Place Bellecour is a must. A large wheel is installed every year. It takes life and lights up according to the theme addressed. In 2018, the Place transported us to a children’s room.
- La Fontaine des Jacobins, a few minutes' walk north of Bellecour. In 2018, the Jacobin Fountain revisited the theme of Northern Lights.
- Located north of the Jacobins, the Place des Terreaux is located at the back of the Hotel de Ville. In 2013, an incredible animation led us to follow the adventures of a young prince, who explored the world on the back of a giant insect
- La Gare Saint-Paul. From the Place des Terreaux, take the direction of the Saône. You will arrive in less than 5 minutes. In 2018, the relationship between man and atoms was honoured on the building.
- The Cathedral of Saint John. Cross the Saône and head to the centre of Old Lyon. Enjoy it to cross the mythical traboules before arriving in front of the Cathedral of Saint John. The traits of the Cathedral fade before your eyes. The walls are moving. We can even make you believe that the Cathedral collapses like a card castle. An immanquable of the Festival of Lights!
- Cross again the Saône by borrowing the Pont Saint-Jean this time. Go back and admire the magnificent sound and light that animates many buildings: the façade is of the Cathedral, Saint John Palace, Palace of Justice, buildings on the Quai, Metallic Tower and Fourvière Basilica. It’s breathtaking!!!
Festivities do not take place systematically in the same place, from one year to another. We invite you to visit the official website The Festival of Lights .
How to come to Lyon for the Festival of Lights?
With almost 2 million visitors for the 2018 edition, it is obvious that coming to Lyon for the Fête des Lumières requires a minimum organisation.
How do I get to Lyon by plane?
You can fly to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport. Our partner Ulysses offers a complete flight offer. Once you get out of the airport, you will have to reach Lyon by taking the express tram. He will take you to the Station de la Part-Dieu. The price for a trip is 16,10 €. Once in Part-Dieu, you can choose between metros, buses and trams.
How to get to Lyon by train?
Lyon is particularly well served by train and TGV. At an hour thirty from Paris and Marseille, you will go down to the stations of Lyon-Part-Dieu and sometimes Lyon-Perrache.
Know that the Station de la Part-Dieu is slightly off the Festival of Lights. You can take the metro (with a change in all cases) to arrive in the area of the Prequ’Île. From Lyon Part-Dieu you can take the T1 tram to Debourg. After a good quarter-hour drive, go down to Perrache to get the most easily access to the Festival of Lights.
If you come from a city in the north of Lyon, you will be able to get off the train in Lyon-Vaise. A 5-minute metro ride (line D direction Gare de Vénissieux) will take you directly to Vieux-Lyon or Bellecour. Please note: it is not impossible for you to be redirected to the Guillotière metro stop before accessing the site. The aim is to search all participants. If you are allowed to go down to Old Lyon and Bellecour stations, wait for a real safety cohort.
How to get to Lyon by car?
On the occasion of the Fête des Lumières, we advise you to use your car in Lyon. However, you can park for free in the university city of La Doua. Indeed, slightly overwhelmed and close to the North Peripheral, it will prevent you from the inevitable corks of the city centre (fully pedestrian on this occasion). You will take the T1 tram to Debourg to reach Perrache in about 25 minutes.
How to move to Lyon for the Festival of Lights?
Photo credit: Shutterstock /e Deborde
Just walk! However, some animations take place in metro stations. Make yourself comfortable shoes: you will walk at least 10 kilometers, in the middle of a sometimes dense crowd.
Public transport is very effective during the Light Festival but the influx of tourists is considerable. Thus, metros and other trams can be overcrowded, especially since they are free on this occasion to move around the city freely.
Where to sleep during the Festival of Lights in Lyon?
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / Sander van der Werf
You doubt it: hotels are quickly complete for each edition of the Festival of Lights. So we invite you to book a hotel without waiting. Many inhabitants of the city abandoned Lyon during this period. Some do not hesitate to put in rent their apartment via AirBnB .
Sleep in Old London
In fact, sleeping in Old London is ideal but places are expensive! The three districts are perfect: Saint-Jean, Saint-Georges or Saint-Paul are very good alternatives. You will be close to the largest part of the animations. Major drawback: you can't get by car in this neighborhood during the Light Festival. However, the Vieux-Lyon metro stop will make life easier
Sleep in Fourvière and Saint-Just
Sleeping on the Fourvière Hill is an excellent idea. You will be close to ancient theatres and adjactant Roman ruins. Similarly, you can easily access the Fourvière Basilica. However, you will have to go down to the center to see almost all the animations. For this: walking (it descends easily but it really goes up a lot), or the funicular (preference for Minimes or Saint-Just stops).
Sleep on the peninsula
It’s the same as for Old Lyon! You will be at the heart of animations and crowds, but access will be complicated by car. Depending on the location you choose, you will descend by metro to the stops of line A of subway: Perrache, Ampère, Bellecour, Cordeliers and Hôtel de Ville. Perrache is accessible via T1 and T2 trams. Hotel de Ville by metro line C. Bellecour, also by metro line D.
Sleep elsewhere in Lyon
The important thing is to position you along the good metro or tram lines ( TCL website, public transport in Lyon ). Thus, we recommend that you find accommodation near the following metro lines:
- Metro A (red line) that serves the entire Presqu’Île, including the Hôtel de Ville and Bellecour. It will allow you to find accommodation in Villeurbanne, even Vaulx-en-Velin.
- Metro D (green line) that serves Bellecour and Vieux-Lyon. She has the advantage of crossing Lyon from East to West. You will find accommodation in Vaise or Gorge-de-Loup. Guillotière remains an excellent idea, just like the streets along the Boulevard Gambetta. Further on, you will find accommodation near Grange-Blanche or even Parilly (near the south peripheral) or even Venissieux.
- Tramway T1 allows you to go back to Doua in Villeurbanne. You can get off at the Perrache stop, or south in the modern La Confluence district.
- Tramway T2, which leads you along the avenue Berthelot, joins Grande-Blanche to take the direction of Bron and Saint-Priest, further away.
It is nevertheless strongly advised to stay in the centre of Lyon.
For your organization
Is that a good idea to come with my dog?
No! Avoid coming with your dog, even on a leash. The crowd is really dense.
Is that a good idea to come with my children?
On paper, yes. The Light Festival is magical. However, we advise you not to come with children under 6/7 years of age. A second of inattention and you could lose them (again, the crowd is really dense). Besides, you're going to walk a lot. Your kids won't keep pace. We also advise you to pushchairs.
Can I come with my sandwich and bottle of beer?
Okay for the sandwich, but not for the beer. In addition, the organization banned bottles of alcohol, even if you come to dinner with friends. You can find food in the many stands on site. Just avoid the "hot wine" sold on site.
How do I dress?
The umbrella is useless, but invest in a waterproof. With an umbrella, you'd spoil the view for other visitors. Nevertheless, think about taking hot clothes, a hat, a scarf and gloves (hots, gloves). The wind can be freezing).
Is the Festival of Light free?
Yes, the Light Festival is totally free! Never pay to access the animations that are proposed. If you are asked to pay, it is definitely a scam! Public transport is usually free from the beginning of the festivities.
Good to know.
- 1,500 people are mobilized for the organization of the Festival of Lights.
- Each year, municipal teams study between 300 and 400 projects for the only must-see sites (including the Parc de la Tête d’Or).
- Private funds finance the Light Festival at 50%.
- You can take advantage of the tests some previous nights the official event.
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