Fête des Lumières Installations

Overview

The Fête des Lumières is Lyon's world-famous festival of light, held annually over four nights around December 8th. The entire city becomes an open-air gallery as dozens of monumental light installations transform buildings, squares, and rivers into immersive works of art.

Highlights

• Cathedral Projections: The facade of Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste becomes a canvas for spectacular video-mapped animations.
• Place des Terreaux: The square is reimagined each year with a major light installation, often the festival's centerpiece.
• Basilica Illumination: Notre-Dame de Fourvière on its hilltop is transformed with dramatic lighting visible across the entire city.

History

The tradition dates to December 8, 1852, when Lyonnais placed candles (lumignons) on their windowsills to celebrate the inauguration of a gilded Virgin Mary statue on Fourvière. The modern festival evolved from this tradition in 1989 and now attracts over 4 million visitors across four nights.

Visitor Tips

• Timing: Attend on Thursday (opening night) or Sunday for smaller crowds; Friday and Saturday are most packed.
• Lumignons: Buy candle holders (lumignons) and place them on your windowsill to participate in the tradition like a local.
• Duration: 2–4 hours per evening.