Festival of Lights Lyon France 2025

Background & History

The Festival of Lights, or Fête des Lumières, began in 1852 when Lyon residents lit candles to honor the Virgin Mary after a storm delayed the inauguration of her statue on Fourvière Hill. This spontaneous act of placing lumignons (small lanterns) on windowsills evolved into a major cultural event.

Since 1999, it has grown into a four-day international festival, showcasing cutting-edge light installations and attracting over two million visitors annually. Lyon’s pioneering Lighting Plan of 1989 and its role in founding LUCI (Lighting Urban Community International) in 2002 cement its status as a global leader in urban lighting.

Cultural Significance

The festival blends Lyon’s religious heritage with artistic innovation, transforming the city into an open-air gallery. It celebrates community solidarity, creativity, and Lyon’s architectural beauty, illuminating landmarks like Fourvière Basilica and Place des Terreaux. The event promotes sustainable urban lighting and cultural exchange, drawing artists and visitors worldwide while reinforcing Lyon’s identity as the “City of Light.”

Event Highlights

• Free light installations and projections across Lyon’s squares, streets, and monuments.
• Traditional luminaries are placed on windowsills, especially on December 8.
• Montée aux flambeaux, a candlelit procession to Fourvière Basilica on December 8.
• Inclusive features like audio descriptions and vibrating vests for accessibility.
• Lumignons du Cœur, a charity initiative supporting local causes.

2025 Program

• Dates: December 5-8, 2025
• Key Installations (based on 2024, 2025 program TBD in November):
  • Place Bellecour: I Love Lyon, featuring a Louis XIV statue in a snow globe.
  • Parc de la Tête d’Or: Les Anooki, playful characters on park structures.
  • Place des Terreaux: Le Petit Géant, a colorful fresco in the Museum of Fine Arts.
  • Place des Jacobins: Jacobins – Act 4, a vibrant fountain illumination.
  • Saint-Jean Cathedral: Mother by Julian Hölscher, a nature-inspired light show.
  • Fourvière Basilica: Fourvière en Voix, with 3D animations and music.
  • Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon: Nawelle Aïnèche’s immersive cloud installation.
  • Henri Malartre Automobile Museum: Post-Idols, interactive light sculptures.
  • Sergent-Blandan Park: Boum de Lumières, a family-friendly light party at 5:30 PM.
• Note: The 2025 program will be available in November at fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr.

Key Activities and Traditions

• Montée aux Flambeaux (December 8, 6:30 PM): Procession from Lyon Cathedral to Fourvière Basilica.
• Lumignons du Cœur (Place Sathonay): Purchase candles ($2.18) to support charities like Alynea-Samu Social 69.
• City-wide Installations: Around 30 works by light artists, designers, and videographers.
• Family Activities: Special hours and interactive displays at Sergeant-Blandan Park.
• Extended Projections: Select works at Fourvière Basilica continue December 26-31.

2025 Theme

While the 2025 theme is TBD, it will likely emphasize Lyon’s lighting heritage and artistic innovation, following 2024’s 25th-anniversary focus on memorable past installations. Expect a blend of nostalgia, modern technology, and sustainability, with LED lighting to reduce energy use.

Organizing Committee

The festival is organized by the City of Lyon’s Events Team, with support from LUCI, local businesses, and public partners. The Lyon Tourist Office coordinates visitor services, while lighting professionals and artists collaborate on installations. Contact +33 4 72 10 30 30 for inquiries or sponsorships.

Date

• Date: December 5-8, 2025
• Time: Thursday-Saturday, 8:00 PM to midnight; Sunday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Duration

• Duration: 4 days

Venue

• City: Lyon, Rhône, France
• Main Venues and Addresses:
  • Place Bellecour: 69002 Lyon
  • Parc de la Tête d’Or: 69006 Lyon
  • Place des Terreaux: 69001 Lyon
  • Place des Jacobins: 69002 Lyon
  • Saint-Jean Cathedral: 5 Place Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon
  • Fourvière Basilica: 8 Place de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon
  • Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon: 149 Rue Garibaldi, 69003 Lyon
  • Henri Malartre Automobile Museum: 645 Rue du Musée, 69270 Rochetaillée-sur-Saône
  • Sergent-Blandan Park: 37 Rue du Repos, 69007 Lyon
  • Place Sathonay: 69001 Lyon
  • Place de la République: 69002 Lyon
  • Place Antonin-Poncet: 69002 Lyon
• Note: Installations span Presqu’île, Vieux-Lyon, and suburbs; check fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr for maps.

Contact Information

• Official Website: fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr
• Email: contact@lyon-france.com (Lyon Tourist Office)
• Phone: +33 4 72 10 30 30
• Social Media:
  • Instagram: fetedeslumieres
  • Facebook: fetedeslumieres
• Note: Contact the Tourist Office for accommodation or event inquiries.

Ticket Information

• General Admission: Free for all installations and performances; no reservations needed.
• Lumignons du Cœur: $2.18 per candle (supports charity).
• Purchase: Candles available at Place Sathonay or via fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr. Cash and cards accepted.
• Note: Book accommodations early via visiterlyon.com due to high demand.

Cultural Experience

The festival transforms Lyon into a magical lightscape, blending tradition with modern art. Visitors stroll through illuminated streets, enjoying projections on historic facades and interactive displays. Casual, warm clothing is recommended due to December’s 32-46°F temperatures. The event fosters a festive, communal atmosphere, with locals and tourists sharing in Lyon’s heritage and creativity.

Food & Drinks

• On-site: Street vendors offer vin chaud (mulled wine, $3-$5), roasted chestnuts ($2-$4), and crêpes ($3-$6).
• Nearby: Lyon’s restaurants serve Lyonnaise specialties like saucisson, quenelles, and tartiflette ($10-$20).
• Cash preferred for vendors; cards accepted at restaurants.
• Tip: Visit bouchons in Vieux-Lyon for authentic dining (reservations advised).

Family & Accessibility

Family-friendly with activities like Boum de Lumières at Sergent-Blandan Park. Wheelchair-accessible routes, parking, and devices (vibrating vests, audio descriptions) are available; check the handi-accueil page on fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr. Well-behaved dogs are allowed in outdoor areas; guide dogs are permitted throughout.

Getting There

• By Air: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS, 20 miles, 30-minute drive).
• By Train: Lyon Part-Dieu or Perrache stations; 10-minute metro to Presqu’île.
• By Car: Park at peripheral lots like Parc de la Tête d’Or (69006) or use Lyon Parc Auto.
• Public Transport: Métro (Lines A, C, D), trams, and buses; “TCL en Fête” ticket ($3.92) for unlimited travel after 4:00 PM (free on December 8). Check tcl.fr.
• By Foot: Central venues (Presqu’île, Vieux-Lyon) are walkable; the city center is pedestrian-only during festival hours.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers assist with crowd management, lumignon sales, and promotion. Benefits include free access and merchandise. Apply via fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr or contact@lyon-france.com.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors fund installations or provide in-kind support. Benefits include brand visibility. Contact +33 4 72 10 30 30 or contact@lyon-france.com.

Local Attractions

• Vieux-Lyon: Renaissance district (69005 Lyon).
• Musée des Beaux-Arts: 20 Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon.
• Parc de la Tête d’Or: 69006 Lyon.
• Confluence Museum: 86 Quai Perrache, 69002 Lyon.
• Roman Amphitheatre: 17 Rue Cleberg, 69005 Lyon.

Accommodation Tips

Book early at hotels like Hotel De Verdun 1882 (82 Rue de la Charité, 69002) or Radisson Blu (129 Rue Servient, 69003). Airbnb in Presqu’île or Vieux-Lyon is convenient. Expect higher rates during the festival; check visiterlyon.com.

Safety and Etiquette

• Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on December 8.
• Respect pedestrian-only zones; no bikes or scooters allowed.
• Photography permitted; drones prohibited.
• Carry cash for vendors; ATMs available, but may charge fees.
• Follow security checks at major sites.

Environmental Commitment

The festival uses LED lighting and complies with ISO 20121 sustainability standards, minimizing electricity use. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport (TCL) or Vélo’v bike-sharing to reduce carbon impact. Local, seasonal food options are promoted at vendors.

Community and Economic Impact

The festival attracts over two million visitors, boosting Lyon’s economy through tourism, with a 25% increase in tourist office visits and a 73% rise in Lyon City Card sales in 2024. It supports local businesses, artists, and charities, reinforcing Lyon’s global cultural reputation.