The Lyon Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) is transformed through the art of light.
Lighting Design by Gilbert Coudène & Etienne Guiol
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

The Illuminating Light Installations of Lyon

As soon as darkness falls, electricity pulses through the city. More than 70 light installations come to life, and thousands of revelers buzz in the streets. Energy is everywhere.

Palais Saint Pierre in Place des Terreaux
Lighting Design by Gilbert Coudène & Etienne Guiol
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

It’s Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France. Millions of people from all over the world come to celebrate this festive day—December 8—as well as the surrounding days. It is said to be the third largest world festival gathering, after Carnival in Rio and Oktoberfest in Munich.

A Tribute to Mary

The event began in 1852 as a tribute to the Virgin Mary (held on The Feast of the Immaculate Conception). The town was celebrating a new statue of Mary that was placed next to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, high on the hill that overlooks the city.

The festival began with a simple tribute by candle.
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

The townspeople put candles in colored-glass holders in their windows to celebrate the occasion.

Over the years, more and more candles appeared on the festival day. Now, it is tradition to place candles in all the city windows, along with a new tradition—a celebration of the art of light.

A bamboo forest of light
Lighting Design by Digiplay Studio
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

Enlightened Artistry

Evolution was inevitable. Today, with the support of the city (and two electric companies), creativity and technology are interwoven as the innovative light installations become a centerpiece.

Lighting designers from around the world are invited to participate (those already recognized in the field, as well as new talent).

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière on the hill
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

Illuminating the City

The historic church is bathed in colored light on the hill, with a Hollywood-like sign paying tribute to Mary (“Merci Marie”).

Buildings usually constrained by the gravitas of their purpose burst into multi-colored light shows, with music, video, and sound.

The Theatre des Célestins changes palette
Lighting Design by Daniel Knipper
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

. . . and then goes wild
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

There are trees in tutus, bridges lit by the force of a mallet swung by adventurous participants, fields of lavender, a bamboo forest of light, and a fountain transformed into a child’s night light.

The Place des Jacobins Fountain becomes an oversized child’s nightlight
Lighting Design by Christopher Mayer
Photography © Meredith Mullins

. . . and spills fanciful patterns onto the neighboring apartment buildings
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

Streets are arched with sparkles, trees are hung with lanterns, artistic lightbulbs and spilt light are omnipresent, and vin chaud (mulled wine) is everywhere.

Arches of light on Rue de la République
Lighting Design by Hexagone Illumination
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

And tonight, on the evening of December 8, fireworks will cascade over the Rhône River to end the celebration with a bang.

Oh, I See

There is too much to see in a short time during this amazing event. You walk the streets with a herd of light lovers, sometimes shuffling together in painfully slow rhythm as the crowd moves from one place to another.

But all will agree that the reward is the magic. The light installations will make you marvel, gasp, dance, stare in awe, and put your arms around your friends and family.

Illumination comes in many forms. There is magic in the art of light, but there is also magic in feeling a part of a community of holiday spirit.

The children with their light sabers may be the best messengers.

May the force be with you.

A duel of the light sabers
Photograph © Meredith Mullins

Happy holidays!

Here’s more information on the Fête des Lumières from the city of Lyon.

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