Cynthia Caughey Annet from www.american-in-france.com spends a few picturesque days in Lyon over the festive period…
The Festival of Lights is an annual event taking place in Lyon between 8th and 11th December 2010. The people of Lyon place candles or little candle lamps in their windows in honour of the Virgin Mary. The origins of the festival date back over 150 years, to 1852 when a statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourviere Hill was to be inaugurated. The event was postponed several times due to bad weather conditions and rescheduled for 8th December. However, on that day the city was hit by a terrible storm. It passed quickly and the people of Lyon spontaneously lit their candles and came out onto the streets to celebrate.
Thus the Festival of Lights was born. The people of Lyon continue this tradition today but, over the years, it has been transformed into a major four-day festival attracting more than 50,000 people each year. Lyon illuminates its finest architecture with fantastic lights, shows and music. The ‘light architects’ are chosen during an annual competition so it is well worth a trip to Lyon for the event.
With the Lyon Festival of Lights taking place in December, the event ties in nicely with a spot of Christmas shopping at the annual Lyon Christmas market. It usually takes place inthe last few days of November until Christmas. I spent the night and then took the metro to the Christmas market which was staged in the square in front of the Perrache train station. It’s one of the bigger Christmas markets in France but still a very manageable size. They had everything from glassware, breads, toys, Christmas decorations, specialty foods, and even a pancake stand that had cake with maple syrup in it. Yum! If you have the opportunity to be near or in Lyon in December, stop off at this fun and festive market. You might pick up a few deals (unless you’re paying with the dollar).
If you plan to attend, make your hotel reservations at least four months in advance. The metro is a good way to get around the city to see the light shows but after 9pm the lines get long due to security controlling traffic in and out of the metro stops. Wear good shoes – there’s lots of walking. Most of the shows are in the old town centre of Lyon.
You won’t find a Lyon hostel at such a late date! But your best bet is to look at the neighbouring towns. The following properties have rooms available for at least one night between 8th and 11th December.
Mister Bed-Bourgoin-Jallieu is about 17 miles from Lyon and offers free airport pick-up. The town of Bourgoin-Jallieu really takes up the festive spirit around Christmas time and there are plenty of picturesque churches to enjoy.
Alternatively, Soleil Et Jardin Hotel in Solaize is on the outskirts of Lyon, about 4 miles from the city centre. It has an on-site restaurant and internet access.
For more information, visit www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/Accueil
The video shows one of the light shows from the 2009 Festival of Lights in Lyon.
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