8 December Procession to Fourviere
Procession du 8 décembre à Fourvière45°46′ N 4°50′ EProcessionDec 8, 2026Dates projectedSeasonal
The 8 December procession suits a visitor who wants to see the religious feast at the root of the Fête des Lumières, as Catholics of the Lyon diocese walk from Saint-Jean cathedral up to Fourvière, and its trade-off is that the 2026 times are not published yet. In 2024 and 2025 it left Saint-Jean at 18:30.
This is an act of worship first, held by the Catholic diocese of Lyon on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The procession leaves Saint-Jean cathedral in Vieux Lyon and climbs to the basilica on Fourvière hill, where the evening's Masses take place. In 2025 the sanctuary scheduled a Mass for the Lyonnais at 17:00, the procession at 18:30 and a Mass for the diocese's young people at 20:00, led by Archbishop Olivier de Germay. The year before, a late Mass for all Lyonnais closed the night at 22:00.
The procession shares the evening with the last night of the Fête des Lumières, so the old town is crowded. Visitors who are not taking part can watch respectfully from the side of the route and keep the way clear.
Worth knowing
- Check fourviere.org in November for the 2026 times of the procession and the Masses.
Quick answers about 8 December Procession to Fourviere
What time is the 8 December procession in Lyon?
The 8 December procession left Saint-Jean cathedral for Fourvière at 18:30 in both 2024 and 2025. The 2026 time is not published yet.
Can visitors join the procession to Fourvière?
The procession is a Catholic act of worship led by the Lyon diocese and needs no ticket. Visitors who are not taking part can watch from the side of the route.
What are the opening hours of 8 December Procession to Fourviere?
8 December Procession to Fourviere is open in 2025 the sanctuary held Mass at 17:00, the procession left Saint-Jean at 18:30, and a youth Mass followed at 20:00. The 2026 times are due on fourviere.org.
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