Lyon lights up for Fête des Lumières

Aquastell - Pitaya par ville-de-lyon
IF you can get to Lyon this weekend then you are sure to be dazzled and delighted by the Fête des Lumières 2011.

With thousands of people expected between 8 and 11 December, the city will mark the 13th edition of its illuminations festival.

More than 70 locations across Lyon will be lit up and around 15,000 people are expected at the Bellecour place for the switching on of the illuminations on 7 December, and 200,000 visitors in the La Tête d’Or Park during the four evenings.

Monuments, rivers and the surrounding countryside become the perfect setting and everyone has the opportunity to showcase their talents: lighting-technicians, designers, architects, video directors, artists and young students.

The traditional lighting up of the city dates back to 8 December 1852 when Lyon’s inhabitants decided to illuminate their windows and railings with candles.

They came down in to the street to celebrate the installation of the Virgin Mary’s statue on the Fourvière hill for the festive season.