An unmissable event in the city of Lyon, the Festival of Lights attracts an average of two million visitors each winter. If the artistic animations projected on the facades of the main monuments over four evenings have made the city famous, the event is sometimes boycotted by its inhabitants who prefer to flee the city and its tourists. The reason ? “Too many people,” our readers unanimously respond.
“Yes, it’s beautiful but it’s unbearable in view of the crowd,” sums up Benjamin, 38, in one sentence. “It’s impossible to enjoy with this amount of people massing in the streets,” adds Pierre-Marie, 39 years old. He then “systematically leaves the city” to find his family or friends elsewhere. Same choice for Chantal, 59, who will “take refuge” this weekend with her children so “not to have the impression of suffocating” with “this crowd”. Mike, 30, will not be there in the coming days either, he will go to “the countryside” to “avoid this hassle” which is “getting worse and worse”, according to him.
“I’m stocking up for several days and barricading myself in! »
Other residents chose to stay in Lyon while boycotting the festivities. Always because of the people in the streets. This is the case of Stéphanie, 34, who prefers to “leave room for tourists”. For four days, she will stay “nicely warm” at home. The same goes for Saddie, 27, who compares this period to “confinement”: “There’s no question of going outside at that time. I stock up for several days and barricade myself! »
“A while ago”, all the districts “were taken over” by the festival, some regret, although this year the event is taking over new districts such as Duchère. Or Blandan Park for a few editions. Sylvie confesses to having “nostalgia” where there were “small neighborhood events, window competitions and wanderings in the streets” and deplores a “refocusing of activities” on the peninsula.
Muriel, 47, is of the same opinion. A resident of the 8th arrondissement, she has “lost the atmosphere of [son] neighborhood lit up by merchants who were preparing a window full of magic, unveiled on the evening of December 8″ or who “made ice sculptures in the middle of the street and offered mulled wine, hot chocolate, grattons and some dishes to taste.” A habit that has been disrupted since the security measures linked to the Paris attacks, according to her. Now, with his family, they meet to eat raclette and light a garland on the tree. “If we don’t want to lose our Lyonnais soul, we have to create new traditions ourselves,” she believes.
“Proud of my city and of this show”
Muriel is not the only one to think that “tradition” has “given way to mass tourism” and a “commercial festival” (albeit free). Philippe, for example, is sorry that “this date dear to the hearts of all Lyonnais” has become “a fair”. For Florence and Jade, this celebration has even “lost its soul” and “no longer belongs to the people of Lyon”. All these people specify, however, that they will continue to put lights next to their windows on December 8 in order to “respect” the custom.
But not all the inhabitants of Lyon are fleeing the Festival of Lights. Far from there. “I am proud of my city and this show! », writes Vincent, 47 years old. He has been going there “every year” since he was a child and says he is “happy with the evolution of this traditional festival”. For him, the tourist side is not a problem and even allows for “great encounters”. To “avoid the big crowds”, he takes advantage of the fact that “the party lasts several days”.
Brune opts for the same strategy and favors “Thursday or Sunday”, which are more “calm”. For her, it is inconceivable to miss her “favorite party”. “I don’t miss a year,” assures this 30-year-old woman. The beauty of Lyon and its lights, there is nothing more magical! » An observation shared by Véronique. “Every year, it’s a real wonder. I wouldn’t leave Lyon for anything in the world,” she concludes.