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The Festival of Lights - or "Fête des Lumières" - is a yearly event that happens in the French city of Lyon.
Let There Be Light in Lyon
The City of Lyon, France, Celebrates Festival of Lights
December 6-9, 2001
By Madelyn Miller
Traditional Feast of Illumination Transformed into Major Tourist Attraction
Festival of LightsNow is the time to plan your enlightening vacation to Lyon. Plan to be there for their world-class Festival of Lights. Make it a holiday present to yourself. And bring a great camera.
The City of Lyon, France, will take on a fairy-tale atmosphere from December 6-9, 2001, as it celebrates its second annual Festival of Lights. Each night, this historic city located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers will be illuminated with a thousand brilliant, colorful, dynamic lights.
panoramaThe festival has its roots in the traditional Feast of Lights, celebrated on the 8th of December, which dates back to the 19th century. On that date in 1862, the people of Lyon first placed candles in their windows in honor of the statue of Mary erected on the Chapelle de Fourvière to give thanks to the Virgin for having held back the plague epidemic at the gates of their city. Last year, the traditional fête was transformed into a major four-day festival, which extends far beyond the local framework and is now a high point in the city's festive calendar. In 1999, more than 500,000 people participated in the first extended celebration, encouraging the city to expand this unique cultural event in 2000.
Lyon becomes the city of a thousand lights during December festival. Whether moving through the heart of the street entertainment on the 8th of December, sculpturally defining the city's buildings or drawing a nocturnal picture of the urban landscape, the illuminations of the Lyon Festival of Lights will be the center of unusual and enchanting festivities each night of the festival.
stock market buildingAll of the different techniques invented by man to utilize light, from torches to laser beams, will be celebrated during the festival. From the narrow streets of the historic Croix Rousse hill to the banks of the Rhône river, from the Fourvière tunnel to the Parc de Gerland, Lyon at night will celebrate light in all its forms: candles, illuminations, light signals, projected images and fireworks.
Illumination of the finest features of the city's architecture will be matched by dozens of festive light displays throughout the city. At the same time, permanent lighting on numerous public or private buildings will be inaugurated.
The highlight of the festival will be December 8th, with a spectacular light show on the Rhône River, live performances with light effects and activities in the surrounding area.
Lumière festival sheds new light on a historic city
Pont BonaparteThe festival presents a fantastic opportunity for visitors to discover the one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. Lyon, France's second-largest city, was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage City for its illustrious 2000-year history. Lyon is acknowledged as the culinary capital of France and is known for its many cultural events throughout the year. The past is still alive in such landmarks as the Gallo-Roman amphitheater, still used for concerts, the Croix-Rousse hill, center of the silk industry in the 1800s and a lively residential district today, and the largest Renaissance Quarter in Europe, still thriving with daily activity, from hotels to restaurants to shops.
Illumination expertise with a global influence
In association with its industrial partners Electricité de France and Mat Electrique, Lyon City Council is extending its lighting program, which already includes more than 200 illuminated sites. Through the Festival of Lights, Lyon has extended the influence of its special illuminations on an international scale. It is now exporting its lumière skills to both Saint Petersburg and Havana.
Highlights of the program for the festival:
* Light signal from the Tour de la Part Dieu.
* Tour of the illuminated streets of the Croix Rousse hill.
* Tour of the illuminations on the Rhône River.
* Illumination and projection of images on the façade of the town hall.
* Illumination and projection of images on the façade of the church of Saint Nizier and on the fountain in Place des Jacobins.
* Illumination and projection of images on the façade of the Théâtre des Célestins.
* Creation of decorative lights for street entertainment acts
* Festive illumination:
o Fourvière Basilica
o Fountain of Lights
o Cité Internationale
o Hôtel de la Communauté
o Point of confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers
o Artist villages
* Inauguration of permanent lighting on public and private buildings Other events:
o Christmas market
o Thematic symposiums
o Exhibition
o Temporary lighting effects
During the day, you can dine on gourmet cuisine at very affordable prices as you discuss your plans for the next evening and great light sightings.
A good way to get a complete package for this event is "Week-end Lyon Découverte" which is sold by the Office of Tourism . (It is actually available every weekend-so if you can't make the festival dates there are still lots of great reasons to visit Lyon.)
This package includes :
* 2 nights at a 2, 3 or 4 stars hotel
* 1 city pass "Lyon City Card" which gives free entries in the 19 museums of the city, free transports, access to the guided visites
* 1 lunch in a bouchon lyonnais "Chez Chabert et Fils"
The first price for this package is 690 French Francs, about $92,5 (I took the conversion : 1 US dollar is about 7.48 French Francs), this price is based on a 2-star hotel.
This package is sold on the internet site of the Office of Tourisme.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Information desk tel: (33) 4 72 77 69 69.
City of Lyon, Mayor's Office: 011 33 08-2508-1515 (approximately $1 for 6 minutes, and they speak English)
Websites:
Lyon Office of Tourism
Official site of the City of Lyon
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
Encore Provence
By Peter Mayle
Author of A Year in Provence
Alfred A. Knopf
This is the book every writer wishes they had written. Read it before you go.
Escape to Provence
By Nancy Coons
Photos by Owen Franken
Fodor's
If you can't decide about going to France, one look at this book and you will buy your ticket. Gorgeous photos. Great insights.
Discover France
By Jack Altman
Berlitz
Great photography
Eyewitness France
Eyewitness Travel Guides
Dorling Kindersley
I love this series because of their very visual organization. Great photos, helpful maps, and extremely well organized.
On the Road Around the South of France
Edited by Melissa Shales
Passport Books
A Thomas Cook Touring Handbook
Karen Brown's French Country Inns and Iteneraries
Karen Brown's Country Inn Series
Charming hotels, maps and driving itineraries to guide you through the glorious French countryside.
Provence Pocket Guide
Berlitz
Handy size is easy to use
Copyright 1995-2007 TravelLady Magazine
The City of Lyon, France, Celebrates Festival of Lights
December 6-9, 2001
By Madelyn Miller
Traditional Feast of Illumination Transformed into Major Tourist Attraction
Festival of LightsNow is the time to plan your enlightening vacation to Lyon. Plan to be there for their world-class Festival of Lights. Make it a holiday present to yourself. And bring a great camera.
The City of Lyon, France, will take on a fairy-tale atmosphere from December 6-9, 2001, as it celebrates its second annual Festival of Lights. Each night, this historic city located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers will be illuminated with a thousand brilliant, colorful, dynamic lights.
panoramaThe festival has its roots in the traditional Feast of Lights, celebrated on the 8th of December, which dates back to the 19th century. On that date in 1862, the people of Lyon first placed candles in their windows in honor of the statue of Mary erected on the Chapelle de Fourvière to give thanks to the Virgin for having held back the plague epidemic at the gates of their city. Last year, the traditional fête was transformed into a major four-day festival, which extends far beyond the local framework and is now a high point in the city's festive calendar. In 1999, more than 500,000 people participated in the first extended celebration, encouraging the city to expand this unique cultural event in 2000.
Lyon becomes the city of a thousand lights during December festival. Whether moving through the heart of the street entertainment on the 8th of December, sculpturally defining the city's buildings or drawing a nocturnal picture of the urban landscape, the illuminations of the Lyon Festival of Lights will be the center of unusual and enchanting festivities each night of the festival.
stock market buildingAll of the different techniques invented by man to utilize light, from torches to laser beams, will be celebrated during the festival. From the narrow streets of the historic Croix Rousse hill to the banks of the Rhône river, from the Fourvière tunnel to the Parc de Gerland, Lyon at night will celebrate light in all its forms: candles, illuminations, light signals, projected images and fireworks.
Illumination of the finest features of the city's architecture will be matched by dozens of festive light displays throughout the city. At the same time, permanent lighting on numerous public or private buildings will be inaugurated.
The highlight of the festival will be December 8th, with a spectacular light show on the Rhône River, live performances with light effects and activities in the surrounding area.
Lumière festival sheds new light on a historic city
Pont BonaparteThe festival presents a fantastic opportunity for visitors to discover the one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. Lyon, France's second-largest city, was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage City for its illustrious 2000-year history. Lyon is acknowledged as the culinary capital of France and is known for its many cultural events throughout the year. The past is still alive in such landmarks as the Gallo-Roman amphitheater, still used for concerts, the Croix-Rousse hill, center of the silk industry in the 1800s and a lively residential district today, and the largest Renaissance Quarter in Europe, still thriving with daily activity, from hotels to restaurants to shops.
Illumination expertise with a global influence
In association with its industrial partners Electricité de France and Mat Electrique, Lyon City Council is extending its lighting program, which already includes more than 200 illuminated sites. Through the Festival of Lights, Lyon has extended the influence of its special illuminations on an international scale. It is now exporting its lumière skills to both Saint Petersburg and Havana.
Highlights of the program for the festival:
* Light signal from the Tour de la Part Dieu.
* Tour of the illuminated streets of the Croix Rousse hill.
* Tour of the illuminations on the Rhône River.
* Illumination and projection of images on the façade of the town hall.
* Illumination and projection of images on the façade of the church of Saint Nizier and on the fountain in Place des Jacobins.
* Illumination and projection of images on the façade of the Théâtre des Célestins.
* Creation of decorative lights for street entertainment acts
* Festive illumination:
o Fourvière Basilica
o Fountain of Lights
o Cité Internationale
o Hôtel de la Communauté
o Point of confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers
o Artist villages
* Inauguration of permanent lighting on public and private buildings Other events:
o Christmas market
o Thematic symposiums
o Exhibition
o Temporary lighting effects
During the day, you can dine on gourmet cuisine at very affordable prices as you discuss your plans for the next evening and great light sightings.
A good way to get a complete package for this event is "Week-end Lyon Découverte" which is sold by the Office of Tourism . (It is actually available every weekend-so if you can't make the festival dates there are still lots of great reasons to visit Lyon.)
This package includes :
* 2 nights at a 2, 3 or 4 stars hotel
* 1 city pass "Lyon City Card" which gives free entries in the 19 museums of the city, free transports, access to the guided visites
* 1 lunch in a bouchon lyonnais "Chez Chabert et Fils"
The first price for this package is 690 French Francs, about $92,5 (I took the conversion : 1 US dollar is about 7.48 French Francs), this price is based on a 2-star hotel.
This package is sold on the internet site of the Office of Tourisme.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Information desk tel: (33) 4 72 77 69 69.
City of Lyon, Mayor's Office: 011 33 08-2508-1515 (approximately $1 for 6 minutes, and they speak English)
Websites:
Lyon Office of Tourism
Official site of the City of Lyon
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
Encore Provence
By Peter Mayle
Author of A Year in Provence
Alfred A. Knopf
This is the book every writer wishes they had written. Read it before you go.
Escape to Provence
By Nancy Coons
Photos by Owen Franken
Fodor's
If you can't decide about going to France, one look at this book and you will buy your ticket. Gorgeous photos. Great insights.
Discover France
By Jack Altman
Berlitz
Great photography
Eyewitness France
Eyewitness Travel Guides
Dorling Kindersley
I love this series because of their very visual organization. Great photos, helpful maps, and extremely well organized.
On the Road Around the South of France
Edited by Melissa Shales
Passport Books
A Thomas Cook Touring Handbook
Karen Brown's French Country Inns and Iteneraries
Karen Brown's Country Inn Series
Charming hotels, maps and driving itineraries to guide you through the glorious French countryside.
Provence Pocket Guide
Berlitz
Handy size is easy to use
Copyright 1995-2007 TravelLady Magazine
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