Where to stay during the Festival of Lights in Lyon? Discover Lyon Campsite

The Festival of Lights is one of Lyon’s most iconic events, attracting thousands of visitors each year who come to admire the light installations that transform the city into a truly magical spectacle. In 2025, this event will take place from Friday, December 5th to Monday, December 8th, offering a unique opportunity to discover Lyon in a different light.

However, with the massive influx of tourists, finding accommodation nearby can prove complicated and expensive. If you’re looking for an alternative that combines comfort, nature and proximity to the city, Lyon Campsite is the ideal solution. Easy to access and located just a few kilometers from the city center, this campsite offers a unique experience in the heart of nature while being close to the festivities.

Lyon’s Festival of Lights: a magical event not to be missed

The Festival of Lights is a Lyon tradition dating back to 1852, initially in homage to the Virgin Mary for protecting the city from the plague. Over the decades, it has evolved and in 1999 it took its current form, spanning several days and now attracting visitors from around the world. This unique event transforms the city into a true open-air museum, where art and light blend to create magical spectacles that enchant young and old alike.

For four consecutive evenings, Lyon lights up with installations: original light projections and outdoor artistic performances that dress monuments and urban spaces. Iconic locations such as Place des Terreaux, Basilica of Fourvière, the Old Lyon district or Parc de la Tête d’Or become unique backdrops for spectacular light works. Each edition presents different themes, allowing visitors to discover the city from a new and always surprising perspective over the years.

The city’s residents also participate in the magic of the event by placing hundreds of candles and colored lanterns on their window sills.

The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, making it one of France’s most popular cultural events. It is completely free and open to all, allowing everyone to enjoy the illuminations at their own pace. However, due to the increasingly large crowds each year, it is strongly recommended to plan your visit in advance by consulting the recommended itineraries and allowing enough time to move from one point to another. For an optimal and stress-free experience, some visitors choose to combine the visit with an overnight stay in accommodation near Lyon, to fully enjoy the magic of the Lights without time constraints.

Where to stay during the Festival of Lights in Lyon?

Finding accommodation during the Festival of Lights can be a real challenge. Hotels in the city center are often fully booked or offer high rates due to increased demand. Moreover, with traffic restrictions in certain areas during the event, it can be difficult to get around. A wise alternative is to stay on the outskirts, in establishments or campsites open in December in Lyon, offering easy access to the city center via public transport, while allowing you to enjoy a calmer and more natural setting.

Huttopia’s great nature deal: Lyon Campsite

A campsite close to Lyon city center

Located in Dardilly, Lyon Campsite benefits from an ideal location to combine nature and proximity to the city. Just 15 minutes by car from the city center, it allows you to quickly reach the main Festival of Lights sites. Well served by public transport with bus lines and shuttles that facilitate your trips to Lyon, staying at Lyon Campsite during the Festival of Lights weekend will allow you to leave your car on site and fully enjoy the festive atmosphere without suffering the stress of heavy traffic or parking difficulties and costs.

By choosing this location, you benefit from a perfect balance between nature immersion and quick city access. After your days of visits and walks through Lyon’s illuminated streets, you can return to a calm and restful setting, ideal for relaxing and recharging your batteries. Moreover, the campsite’s geographical location allows you to combine your stay with other nature activities around Lyon, such as hiking in the hills or bike rides, to extend the experience off the beaten tourist track.

Comfortable accommodation solutions

Lyon Campsite offers a wide range of accommodation designed to combine comfort and proximity to nature, suitable for all types of stays. You can choose between wooden chalets, mobile homes or caravans, accommodating 2 to 6 people, ideal for couples, families or small groups of friends. Each accommodation is fully equipped to make your stay pleasant, with a functional living space, kitchen area, comfortable sleeping area and private bathroom.

For traditional camping enthusiasts, the campsite also has spacious pitches with or without electricity, suitable for motorhomes, vans or caravans, spread over 6 hectares. Enjoy renovated, spacious, comfortable and year-round heated sanitary facilities, suitable for families with baby area and family bathroom, as well as for people with reduced mobility.

After a day spent strolling through Lyon’s illuminated streets or exploring the city, you can relax in a peaceful and green setting, enjoy a quiet moment in the warmth, prepare a family meal or simply savor the tranquility of the surrounding nature. This diversity of accommodation solutions allows meeting all needs and budgets, while staying close to the city center, making the campsite a practical and comfortable choice to fully enjoy the Festival of Lights without compromise.

How to get to Lyon from the campsite?

From CityKamp Lyon, reaching the city center is very easy! You can take a bus directly from the campsite exit to quickly reach the Lyon metro: head to Gare de Vaise or Gorge de Loup station depending on your route. Both stations provide easy access to the Presqu’île and Lyon’s main districts.

For those who prefer to travel by car, you can reach Lyon via the ring road. Once in the city, you’ll find numerous outdoor and covered car parks around the Presqu’île. Please note, however, that traffic can be heavy, especially during major events, and several roads are sometimes closed to traffic. It’s best to plan your journey a little in advance!

An experience between city and nature

With Lyon city on one side, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the green landscapes of the Monts du Lyonnais and the plains of Isère on the other, Lyon Campsite, open year-round, is ideally located to explore the region while being close to the festivities.

Don’t miss visiting Lyon’s must-see monuments such as Saint-Jean Cathedral, Basilica of Fourvière and the Théâtre des Célestins. You can also wander through the streets of the Lyon peninsula to admire the architecture that testifies to the city’s historical heritage. In case of bad weather, a wide choice of museums and activities suitable for all ages are available to you.

Our great accommodation deal for the 2025 Festival of Lights

Why choose Lyon Campsite for the Festival of Lights?

To benefit from the best rates and guarantee your accommodation, it is advisable to book your stay as soon as possible. Establishments close to the city center fill up quickly, especially during the Festival of Lights. Staying on the outskirts also allows you to take advantage of public transport to easily reach the city center. This saves you the hassles related to parking and allows you to fully enjoy the event.

The Festival of Lights is an unmissable event to discover Lyon in a different light. By choosing to stay at Lyon Campsite, you opt for an experience combining comfort, nature and proximity to the festivities. Don’t wait any longer to book your stay for the Festival of Lights now and experience the magic of this unique event!