-
Ryanair threatens to end flights to ten regional French airports over tax plan
Airline boss says it will reduce traffic to France by 50% if proposed tax increases on tickets are approved
-
French eco-friendly cargo sailboats to set sail by 2026
French company raises €40million to build Cutty Sark-sized sailing vessels, promising faster, eco-friendly trans-Atlantic shipping
-
Strike action poses minimal disruption to French TGV services
Although overall disruption will be limited, no night trains will be running and local services may still be impacted during tomorrow’s strike
Lyon's Fête des Lumières lightshows revealed
Some of the stunning displays that will grace the annual event taking place across the city in early December unveiled
The displays for Lyon's ‘Fête des Lumières’ have just been revealed – and include 20,000 tiny illuminated boats sailing down the Saône.
The festival, now in its 30th year, will feature 65 light installations in a variety of buildings, streets, squares and parks.
Examples of what to expect include an illuminated meadow with 500 four-metre tall pampas grasses, 20,000 tiny illuminated boats which will sail down the river Saône, and a display of 15,000 candles lit every evening by 160 volunteers and residents.
The event is expected to draw millions of visitors from all over the world.
The festival’s origins date back to 1852, when it was decided that a statue of the Virgin Mary would be erected on Fourvière Hill in Lyon.
The initial inauguration of the statue was planned for September 8, 1852, but due to bad weather it was postponed to December 8 to coincide with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
However, the weather was bad again and the inauguration could not take place. As night fell the weather improved and the people of Lyon placed lit candles on their window sills and balconies in a show of solidarity. The tradition of lighting the city on December 8 has continued ever since.
In the 1960s, lighting candles morphed into a shop-window light display competition. In 1989, the festival as we know it today began when the city decided to illuminate heritage sites in the city.
The installations will take place over four nights, from December 5 to 8, and are free to visit. The displays take place on Thursday and Sunday from 19h to 23h and on Friday and Saturday from 20h to midnight.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France