We decided to take the kids to the Festival of Lights in Lyon. But what is the origin of this festival?
In 1850, the religious authorities are launching a competition to design a statue, regarded as a religious signal hilltop Fourviere.
A year later, the contest was won by sculptor Fabisch Lyon, and dated September 8, 1852 is chosen for its inauguration. But in August, the Saone River overflowed its banks and flooded the site where the statue should be performed.
The opening is postponed to December 8, feast of the Immaculate Conception. The same day, the newspapers announced the program for the evening and the whole town is preparing for the event. Some even expect to illuminate the facades of their homes with candles.
But the weather will again upset the festivities, forcing religious authorities to put the event on December 12. Despite this counter-order, the enthusiasm of CL was not extinguished. From 18h, the first light windows, and 20h, the entire city is illuminated. Much of the population took to the streets, cheerful and tender, and marveled that spontaneous and communicative. Religious authorities track the movement and the Chapel of Fourviere appears in the night. That evening, a celebration was born!
Each year now, December 8, Lyon lay candles in their windows and get together to walk the streets of the city. This year the festival takes place over four days: the 8,9,10 and 11 December.
This Friday 10 December, it was very cold, but we are well prepared, hats, gloves and scarves were requisitioned.
We parked the car park relay Vaise then we took the subway. First surprise, no bottling Vaise and relatively few people in the subway. The second surprise came in the old Lyon, we saw that there were people, certainly, but it was still reasonable and fluid.
During our walk, we concentrated on the peninsula.
arriving Bonaparte on the bridge spanning the Saone we were able to attend a "moonrise" on the cathedral St John at the foot of the hill Fourviere.
The great wheel of Place Bellecour: "For the 4 nights of the festival, the big wheel is transformed into a giant circular screen on which the public finds this year a panorama of images with an invitation to meet and protect the planet. "
The facade of the theater of Celestine:
Place des Jacobins:
"Dressed in red and white and wearing a bright flash, the top of the fountain Jacobin turns into beacon sea. Completely dry, it will be flooded with light, magnifying and its architecture and sculptures: warm and bright, sparkling fish, waterfalls and reflections ...."
Place Terreaux: "The Bartholdi Fountain is at the heart of the festival this year. Chariots and horses, adorned with bright colors, out of the wave. "
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