2010-12-11
(Archive)
Festival of Lights
Every building in Lyon is illuminated during the magical Fêtes des Lumières as locals parade through the night, lantern in hand. The tradition dates from 1852, when a statue of the Virgin was unveiled on the hillside during a storm.
The hillside unveiling 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.
Today, a host of
activities are planned around the procession, which has now been
extended to become an action-packed, four-day festival.
When: 8 - 11 Dec 2010
Where: Lyon, France
From: whatsonwhen.com
last modification: 2010-11-29