It’s that time again - Saturday 5th - 8th December - the time when the city of Lyon lights itself up to the world for its celebrated annual Fêtes des Lumières. Aficionados of lighting installations flock to this gorgeous city to see some of the most innovative sights around but beware, due to its popularity, it gets pretty booked up so do check hotel availability before travel.
When I visited, back in 2012 now, we followed a route around the city to see see lighting shows which just took your breath away with the visual story telling. The show goes on for hours too - 18.00 - 01.00 - and we dined royally on restaurant pop-ups as we strolled around. Even boats on the nearby Rhône and Saône Rivers were lit up.
Why a lighting festival in Lyon? Well, it dates back to the city’s traditional festival of 8th December when the Lyonnais celebrate the Virgin Mary, whose statue stands on Fourvière Hill overlooking the city. They put candle lamps on their window sills and balconies and the ritual has been repeated every year since.
Now the premier creative lighting event in the world - including inter-active exhibits as above, the festival showcases the skills of the very top artists and provides an open-air laboratory for up and coming talent.
See previous blog posts for more photographs:
http://magellanstraits.com/2014/11/12/light-up-your-life-lyons-festival-of-lights/
http://magellanstraits.com/2013/11/18/the-magnificent-festival-of-lights-lyon/
Contributor & photographer: Sue Lowry
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