Jean-Luc Boujon (correspondent in Lyon) 08:06, December 08, 2022
The Festival of Lights starts this Thursday in Lyon and for four days.
About thirty illuminations will embellish the main arteries of the city: Place Bellecour, Vieux Lyon or the Basilique de Fourvière.
Despite the context of energy sobriety, the party is maintained because the illuminations consume very little electricity.
In Lyon, there was never any question of canceling the Festival of Lights.
This celebration has been celebrated every year for 150 years.
Moreover, despite the context of the energy crisis, the 30 luminous creations that will adorn the city consume very little.
"Most of the technologies that will be used are LEDs. The energy bill is extremely limited. It is estimated at 3,500 euros, which is not much", explains the mayor of Lyon Grégory Doucet at the microphone of Europe 1 .
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2.5 million visitors
The electricity consumption of this particular moment will be compensated: "The light works are only lit for four hours. While they are illuminated, the usual lights of historic buildings are turned off, which are more energy-consuming", explains Audrey Hénocque, in charge of Finance at the City of Lyon.
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"We can also add that while the people of Lyon come to enjoy the Festival of Lights, they do not consume at home by leaving the television and the lights on", she continues.
Everyone will therefore be able to enjoy this party without a second thought.
The vast majority of hotels in Lyon are fully booked.
More than 2.5 million visitors are expected over four days, more than in 2019.