Lyon Fete des Lumieres or Light Festival

www.american-in-france.com & www.french-alps-tours.com Lyons Fete des Lumieres, or the Festival of Lights, began in 1862 when people first placed candles in their windows in honor of the Virgin Mary on December 8th, the Feast of Lights religious holiday. It has been transformed into a major 4-day festival attracting more than 50,000 people each year. Lyon illuminates their finest architecture with fantastic lights, shows and music; the light architects are chosen through an annual competition. It is worth a trip to Lyon for the event which is held during the weekend of December 8th, the Immaculate Conception holiday.