Every December, Lyon turns itself into an open-air gallery of light. The Fête des Lumières, or Festival of Lights, usually takes place over several evenings around 8 December, when buildings, squares and parks across the city are lit up with light installations and projections. It is one of France’s best-loved winter events and draws huge crowds.
Even outside the festival, Lyon makes a superb winter city break, with a beautiful old town, a famous food scene and easy connections from the UK. Here is how to plan your trip, and how to get your visa in time.
A tradition with deep roots
The festival grew out of a local tradition dating back to the 19th century, when Lyon’s residents placed candles in their windows to celebrate a statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourvière hill. Many people still put small candles in coloured glass, known as lumignons, on their windowsills on the evening of 8 December.
Today the event combines that tradition with large-scale modern light art. Exact dates, locations and the programme change every year, so check the official festival and Lyon tourism websites before you book.
Getting there and around
Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport has flights from several UK airports, and the Rhônexpress tram links the airport with Part-Dieu station in the city. Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar to Paris and continue on a high-speed TGV, which takes around two hours from Paris to Lyon.
Lyon has a good metro, tram and bus network, but during the festival many central streets become pedestrian zones and some stations may close or get very busy. Comfortable shoes are essential: walking is often the easiest way to get around.
Festival tips
- Book accommodation early. Hotels fill up quickly for festival weekends, and prices tend to rise.
- Go out early or late. The busiest times are usually early evening on the weekend nights. Weeknights can be calmer.
- Plan a route. The official programme usually includes a map of the installations. Pick a few areas rather than trying to see everything.
- Keep your belongings secure. Crowds are dense, so keep bags closed and phones safe.
- Wrap up warm. December evenings in Lyon are cold, and you’ll be outside for hours.
What to see
- Vieux Lyon: the old town on the banks of the Saône, with Renaissance buildings and narrow lanes. Look out for the traboules, hidden passageways through buildings and courtyards. Some are open to the public.
- Fourvière: take the funicular up the hill to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for sweeping views over the city. The Roman theatres nearby are well worth a visit.
- Presqu’île: the central peninsula between the Rhône and the Saône, with grand squares such as Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux, plus the city’s main shopping streets.
- Parc de la Tête d’Or: a large park with a lake and botanical gardens, lovely for a crisp winter morning.
- Confluence: the modern district where the two rivers meet, home to the striking Musée des Confluences.
What to eat
Lyon is often called the food capital of France. Try a traditional bouchon, a cosy local restaurant serving hearty Lyonnais dishes such as quenelles, sausages and rich sauces, usually with a pot of local red wine. For a sweet treat, look for the bright pink tarte aux pralines.
Food lovers should visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, an indoor market full of cheese, charcuterie, oysters and pastries. It’s a great place for lunch, and especially festive in December.
A simple three-day plan
- Day 1: arrive and explore Vieux Lyon by day, then head out for your first evening of light installations.
- Day 2: funicular to Fourvière in the morning, lunch at Les Halles, then rest before an evening exploring the Presqu’île installations.
- Day 3: a morning in Parc de la Tête d’Or or at the Musée des Confluences, a final bouchon lunch, then home.
Combining Lyon with Paris
Many visitors combine Lyon with a few days in Paris. That works well by train. If your whole trip is in France, you apply to France. If you add, say, a few nights in Switzerland or Italy, apply to the country where you’ll spend the most nights. For ideas in the capital, see our guide to Paris in December.
Planning your France visa
If you live in the UK on a non-EU passport, you will usually need a Schengen visa to visit Lyon. December is a very busy month for appointments, so start now.
- Apply in good time. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 calendar days before. Decisions usually take 15 calendar days and can take up to 45. For an early December trip, that means acting immediately.
- Book your accommodation first. Festival-weekend hotel bookings are part of your evidence, so secure them before your appointment.
- Check your insurance. You need at least €30,000 of medical cover, valid across the Schengen area.
- Check your passport. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, with 2 blank pages.
- Check your UK status. Your evidence is usually an eVisa share code or valid UK visa.
- Be ready for EES. Since October 2025, first-time travellers may be asked to give fingerprints and a photo at the border.
If the festival is too soon for your visa, Lyon is still lovely through the rest of the winter, and you can plan for next year’s festival well ahead. Read our France visa guide for the full document list, check the visa fees, or start your application and we’ll help with your forms and appointment.
