Lyon traditions: Festival of Lights and SaintéLyon trail running

Lyon hosts two major annual events during the month of December. The Fête des Lumières, or Festival of Lights, originated in 1852 following the inauguration of a statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourvière hill. The tradition began when residents spontaneously lit candles, known as « lumignons », in their windows during bad weather. Today, the festival features large-scale light art installations across iconic locations such as Place des Terreaux and Saint-Jean cathedral, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Simultaneously, the region hosts the SaintéLyon, one of France’s oldest nature running competitions. Held during the first weekend of December, the event attracts approximately 20,000 participants across various formats, ranging from the extreme 160 km LyonSaintéLyon to shorter distances like the SaintéSprint. The event is supported by a complex ecosystem including the Club Cycliste Lyonnais, professional agencies, local municipalities, and mountain rescue services.