Four million tourists gather in Lyons for this annual festival.  Not only are public places lit, but each family of Lyons places candles in their windows sills during the Festival of Lights to further emphasize the lights of the town.  The city council runs professionally run performances throughout the celebration.

This event was originally started as a religious day event to honor the Virgin Mary over 150 years ago.  In 1852 there was supposed to be a statue of Virgin Mary inaugurated, however the event was postponed several times due to bad weather. It was rescheduled for the 8^th of December and finally happened. Many people of Lyon lit candles in their houses that night and thus the Festival of Lights was started.

Now the event is four days long and not only do the people of Lyons light candles but the city hires light architects to decorate some of the finest architecture of Lyon. The light architects are chosen through an annual competition so their buildings are done with great prestige.

What: The Lyon Festival of Lights
Where: Lyons, France
When: December 8^th to 11^th 2011
URL: http://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/

Recommended Hotel: La Villa Saint Germaine