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.