Fete des Lumieres

French Traditions are numerous and diverse, you already know that.

December 8th is another French Tradition from Lyon, the city where we used to live. Every year since 1852 the people from Lyon celebrate the Festival of Lights which is a popular event that takes place throughout the City on the evening of December 8.

On this occasion and during several days, the City of Lyon is illuminated and festivities are held in different neighborhoods.

This tradition is closely related to the religious history of Lyon.

Since the Middle Ages, the City has venerated the Virgin Mary. It is said that in 1643, the City which had been placed under the protection of the Virgin, was partly spared by a plague epidemic. A statue of the Virgin Mary was erected in recognition, on the Fourviere hill, overlooking the City.

The statue was to be inaugurated on September 8 1852, but the ceremony had to be cancelled due to a severe flood of the Saône river. The inauguration was postponed to December 8, which happens to be the day of the celebration for the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin.

Due to a violent storm, the official ceremony had yet to be cancelled again. However, as the weather rapidly calm down, the Lyon inhabitants, in a spontaneous gesture, placed candles at their windows and descended the streets to lit flares to illuminate the new statue.

The people sang songs and cried "Vive Marie!" until late in the night: The Festival of Lights was born.

This unique Lyonnaise tradition dictates that each year on the evening of December 8, candles have to be placed on the windowsills of every houses, producing a spectacular effect throughout the streets where throngs of people wandering in commemoration until late into the night.

The modern Festival is now a four-day event where contemporary lights installations and fireworks illuminate the City, attracting thousand of visitors.

On December 8, at La Cuisine, we will perpetuate the tradition, by illuminating the inside and outside of the restaurant with a multitude of candles.

You can visit this website for more pictures and infornations about Lyon and its Festival.

LE BEAUJOLAIS

We might say that November is THE month of french wines at La Cuisine. After the article about Burgundy wines, let's talk about the Beaujolais, because this coming Thursday (Nov 18th) we will celebrate the French tradition:

The Beaujolais Nouveau release!

Since 1951, every third Thursday of November, we celebrate the "Beaujolais Day".

At one past Midnight, from little villages and towns like Romaneche-Thorins, over a million case (around 25 millions liters) of Beaujolais begin their journey through France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Germany and Japan are the biggest market, followed by the USA.

The Beaujolais Region, North from Lyon

Over the years, it has been carried by balloon, motorcycle, truck, helicopter, Concorde jet, elephant, runners and rickshaws.

Apart from the Fanfare, what makes Beaujolais Nouveau so popular? And especially in the U.S. where consumption of red wine is less than 30%?

Simply put that Beaujolais Nouveau is as about as close to white wine as a red wine can get.

Good to know: Gamay (Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais. All the grapes in Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

Beaujolais is meant to be drunk young, in average vintages it should be consumed by the following May after its release.

However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around.

The "Beaujolais Nouveau" celebration, which began as a local phenomenon in the local bars, cafes and bistros of Beaujolais and Lyon, has become in a few decades one of the most animated rituals in the wine world, encouraging friends to come together and celebrate.

It is a very popular event throughout France as well as in most cities around the world, especially in Japan and the United States.

The race from grape to glass must be silly, but half the fun is knowing that on the same night, in homes, cafes, restaurants, bistros, pubs and bars around the world, the same celebration is taking place.

So, this year, on November 18th 00.01am, we will say

"Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!", "The New Beaujolais has arrived!".

At La Cuisine, we will be featuring a special 3 courses Menu to celebrate its release.

We can't wait to see wich fruits flavor it will have this year!