Lyon has established itself as "the other cultural capital of France". To find out more, contact the Tourist Office, where you will be able to find more precise information throughout the year, as well as the Galerie des Terreaux for information on the Biennales. www.biennale-de-lyon.org (special exhibitions of last themes).

Here is a selection of some of the most important cultural events :

The contemporary festival Musiques en Scène (February-March). The National Center of Contemporary Music develops the musical creation, the production and the broadcasting of the works in concerts. Come in through "the sound space" ! Festival Grame

Over the summer, there are two main events : The Nuits de Fourvière which provides a wide-ranging programme of events (including theatre, dance, music and cinema) in the Roman amphitheatre. www.nuits-de-fourviere.org and Jazz à Vienne (30 km from Lyon), a festival which has a prestigious programme of events spread over two weeks. www.jazzavienne.com/

The Festival Lyon Lumières takes place in December. The city is transformed by lighting effects, and the key event is the night of 8 December which commemorates the Virgin of Fourvière. During the evening, numerous events take place throughout the city and thousands of small candles light up the windows and balconies of Lyon’s houses and flats.