What a Visit to Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France Looks Like

Not only is Lyon named the capital of gastronomy in France (and to some people, the world!), it is also home to one of the largest light festivals in the world, Fête des Lumières!

Find out what makes Lyon a city to add to your France itinerary in Winter.

What is Fête des Lumières?

Lyon, France in lights at night

Millions of visitors fill the streets of Lyon, France every year to witness the city dazzle in lights. La Fête des Lumières, or the Festival of Lights, illuminates the city for 4 days around the 8th of December to celebrate the Virgin Mary. 

I’ve been trying to attend this festival since I moved to France. In 2015, it was cancelled out of respect for the events that unfolded in France. In 2016, I decided to go to Lyon too late so the price to travel from Nice to Lyon was out of my budget. Two Fête des Lumières later and with proper planning, I made it and it was magical!

The artists, organizers, and the city itself really embrace this festival. There are normally around 40 installations by artists ranging from students to the experienced. I was only able to attend one of the nights, so I was unable to view all of the installations, but I think I’ve managed to capture some gems to trigger your wanderlust. 

The places listed in this article are some of Lyon’s largest and most popular spaces. Be sure to keep up with the official website to get details for the current year’s event.

Place des Terreaux 

Place des Terreaux is a huge square in central Lyon. It’s surrounded by the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) and the art museum. 

The theme in this location was “Enoha fait son cinéma” (translated to “Enoha makes her movie”) and it guided us down memory lane with visuals of westerns, sci-fi, and action. I even caught the Harry Potter theme music they played for like 5 seconds!

Fête des Lumières Place des Terreaux in Lyon, France

Fête des Lumières Place des Terreaux in Lyon

Fun fact: Most would say that true cinema was invented in Lyon, France by the Lumières brothers. If you’re interested in this history, visit the Lumière museum in Lyon. 

Fête des Lumières Place des Terreaux Lyon

Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France city hall

 

Hôtel de Ville

The Éphémères installation took place in the courtyard of Lyon’s city hall. After watching the adorable short film in Place des Terreaux, I walked through the city hall’s grand doors to walk into an enchanted garden filled with lighted trees and calming, raindrop-like sounds. 

Lit trees at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

Place de la République

Displayed at Place de la République, Les Pikooks featured snow owls effortlessly gliding above a fountain. The fountain can be seen below with the owls’ eggs and beautiful light displays. What’s pretty cool is that these owls are kites and right below them are artists guiding them. Can you spot them?

Fête des Lumières held in Place de la Republique in Lyon, France

 

La Pelleteuse Aquarium

I came across this installation on my walk to Place de la République. Can you imagine? An excavator-turned-aquarium! Pretty awesome.

Aquarium at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

Saint-Jean Cathedral

This installation at la Fête des Lumières was one of my absolute favorites! Rightfully named “Unisson”, the artists really did something magical by having sound and light vibrate in unison on the face of Saint-Jean Cathedral. At times, the vibrations even had a 3-D effect!

Saint Jean Cathedral at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

 

Saint Paul train station

Based on Homer’s Odyssey, this installation was displayed at the Saint Paul train station. The visuals animated the story in a captivating way while the hip hop and rock fusion music kept us lingering at the station watching the display on repeat.

Saint Paul train station at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

Saint Paul station at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

 

Fourvière Hill

Fourvière Hill’s “Time for Light” was able to be seen from the Saône and Rhône rivers that run through central Lyon. As I prepared to walk across the bridge to the old town, I noticed that the light display here was just beginning.

Fourvière Hill at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

Fourvière Hill at la Fête des Lumières in Lyon

 

Tell me! Have you been to Lyon’s light festival, or perhaps a light festival anywhere else around the world? I’d love to hear about it!

Discover la fête des lumières in Lyon, France

4 thoughts on “What a Visit to Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France Looks Like”

  1. I love things like this! My town does a much smaller scale light show on one building at Christmas but a whole festival of it sounds amazing!

  2. We have a similar festival of lights in Romania, in Bucharest. I’ve been to two of these events and I am amazed by what these people can create. It’s beyond stunning. My experience with traveling in France resumes to Paris and Bordeaux, but I have to say Lyon is looking very interesting.

  3. Wow! What a beautiful festival! I’ve been planning to go to a light festival in Scotland (where I live) but the tickets are in very high demand!

    1. Ohh that’s the worst!! I know that feeling all too well. Fortunately, Lyon’s festival is free so maybe this can be your backup option 😉

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