Lyon's Festival of Lights

11/17/2009

Lyon's Festival of Lights
A Dazzling Orgy of Colors

If you find yourself anywhere near Lyon in early December, make sure to stop by for the marvels of the four-day festival of lights. What began over 150 years ago as a spontaneous celebration when a storm cleared has grown to become a must-see event.

A network of lasers crisscrosses the inner courtyard of Lyon's town hall, and a multi-colored, glowing garden of almost 50 gigantic flowers is perched on the local mountain. The facades of the Church of Saint Nizier on the peninsula have been brought to life using projections and soundtracks, and even the town's landmark, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, has been lit up by a range of lighting effects that pulsate in time to the chimes of its church bells.