Lyon's most famous event takes the form of a glorious illumination throughout the city with a four day festival starting on the 8th of December.

The ceremony was originally planned for 8 September 1852, but had to be postponed due to bad weather. Rescheduled for 8 December, it was threatened again by an incipient storm. However, the clouds lifted and the population came out en masse to celebrate the occasion, armed with lights and lanterns in their thousands.

To this day, the event is remembered with a display of lights: each house and each window is illuminated, and a procession is held by lantern-light. With the dark nights of winter descending, this is a beautiful way to make the most of the dark.

A host of concerts and activities are planned around the procession, which has now been extended to become an action-packed four-day festival.

Suggestion of ARTEH® Hotels in Lyon, France.

Cour des Loges