Improvised in 1852 by Lyonnais wishing to inaugurate a statue of the Virgin Mary by placing luminous lights in their windows, the Fête des Lumières is now a not-to-be-missed event attracting thousands of admirers of the creative illuminations of Lyon's neighborhoods and heritage sites.
In the 17th century, an epidemic of plague threatened Lyon. The city councillors of the time went up to the Basilica of Our Lady of Fourvière to beg the Virgin Mary to protect the city.
On September 8, 1643, they also promised to repeat this pilgrimage every year if their wish was granted.
207 years later, a competition was held to create a statue that would serve as a religious signal to maintain the city's divine protection.
The work of the sculptor Joseph-Hugues Fabisch was to be unveiled on September 8, 1852, but a major flood of the Saône prompted the religious authorities to postpone the inauguration until December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin.
Unfortunately, three months later the weather remained bad and the cancellation of the festivities (brass bands in the streets, fireworks from the top of the hill...) was considered until, against all odds, the sky cleared: the people of Lyon then placed candles in their windows as they did on the occasion of major events (royal entries, military victories...) and, for the first time, lit up their city singing hymns and shouting "Long live Mary!
Since this first spontaneous event, the date of December 8 marks the beginning of the Festival of Lights which, since 1989, is held over 4 days and calls upon artists to create a poetic "urban nightscape". The light displays in the Parc de la Tête d'or, Place Saint Jean, the courtyard of the History Museum or the Grand Hôtel-Dieu are among the most admired by the nearly 2 million visitors who come each year to immerse themselves in this visual enchantment.
It should be noted that among these amazed spectators, about 100,000 come from abroad, notably from Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The pleasure of strolling in a friendly atmosphere, the beauty of Lyon and the constantly renewed artistic program: this great moment of popular gathering has certainly still beautiful days ahead of it!
To find out more about the 2023 edition, click here.
Valérie from Comme des Français
----
Continue reading with these other festive outdoor events
Crédit photo : https://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/