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Elise Toïdé
Discoveries
On the bill
Not-to-be-missed events in Lyon this autumn
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Walid Boukabache - Uppernation Prod
What do Hip Hop, Has-Guzzling american motors, dream interpretation, the biennial of contemporary art, and Mexico have to do with each other ? They'll all be causing quite a buzz all autumn in Lyon with festivals, exhibitions and immersive shows. Take your pick.
Les Soeurs Hilton at Théâtre des Célestins
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Vanessa Sannino
Born in 1908 and connected by their lower backbones, the Hilton sisters were Siamese twins destined for a tragic fate. Abandoned at birth but adopted by the midwife who brought them into the world, they were cheaply exhibited from day one.
Music, singing, and dance made them into the perfect circus act. Exploited all their lives, regularly changing hands, they tasted glory on Broadway but ended up forgotten and impoverished as checkout assistants in a grocery store in North Carolina.
Their story, staged by Valérie Lesort and Christian Hecq, highlights the fascinating figure of the monster and the many conflicting feelings it stirs up. Fear, disgust, laughter, and shame are all experienced in a circus ring set, fluctuating between theatre and cabaret, laughter and tears.
From 19 to 29 September.
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Elise Toïdé
Bike festival
All bike paths lead to Bellecour! On 28 and 29 September, Greater Lyon is organising its bike festival, a free festive bike event for riders of all ages from beginners to experienced focusing on city cycling.
Check out: a bike village featuring lots of activities (bumper bikes, balance bike race, Pimpmybike workshop, etc.), non-profit stands, equipment demonstrations, and key events organised by the Lyon Cargo Bike Festival.
On the Sunday morning, Convergence Vélo will also set up six routes to Place Bellecour, followed in the afternoon by a big festive parade including themed processions. On your marks, get set… pedal !
28 and 29 September.
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Métropole de Lyon
¡Qué Gusto!
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Andrea Cortés
From 4 to 6 October, it’s next stop Mexico with ¡Qué Gusto! After triumphing in Paris, the travelling culinary event is landing in Lyon for the first time.
This fun and educational festival’s menu includes: traditional technique demonstrations, tasting sessions, and Q&As with chefs, focusing on corn or beans, such as the 3-chef dinner featuring Christian Têtedoie, Carla Kirsch (Alebrije restaurant / Veracruz native), and Beatriz Gonzalez (Cozumel native).
Also featuring a mixology demonstration, a family cooking workshop, and a freely accessible festive afternoon on the Pilo hotel’s patio
From 4 to 6 october.
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Que Gusto
Lyon, born of light
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Vérot - Damien Fontaine
The second chapter of the successful show - Lyon, born of light - staged back in 2021, Saint John’s Medallion is bringing the sound and light experience back in an immersive show combining projections on the cathedral walls, original music, and over a hundred extras parading in period costume.
The plot developed by Juliane Stern (playwright) and Damien Fontaine (producer and five times winner of the city’s Trophée des Lumières) follows the intertwined fates of a plethora of historical characters, from 1711 to 1944, connected by the mysterious medallion of Saint John…
From 18 October to 17 November.
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Teko Photos
Exhibition Within the space of a dream at Musée des Confluences
Charles Baudelaire defined dreaming as “an adventurous journey every evening”.
From Ancient Times to the modern day, dreams have endlessly fascinated and intrigued. What do they mean? Why do they vanish when we wake? The exhibition Within the space of a dream at the Musée des Confluences is putting on quite a show featuring 200 exhibits and multiple audiovisual works that might provide some answers.
By transporting visitors through time and between cultures, the event creates connections to history, psychology, ethnology, art, and even neuroscientific research. Fascinating stuff !
From 18 October to 24 August 2025.
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Studio Hans Op de Beeck
Karavel festival
From the Olympics to the opera, hip hop is everywhere, including over forty venues in the Lyon area as part of the Karavel festival.
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Julie Cherki
The event founded by Mourad Merzouki will host over fifty troupes until 27 October including sure-fire hits like openers Relevant, Käfig (Mourad Merzouki’s own troupe), Stylistik, Art Move Concept, and Mazelfreten, plus emerging talents like Nuée, Benthé, Crysael, and Sophie Courtin.
The programme features: shows including three creations, competitions, battles, carte blanche to Nacim Battou, interactive experiences with amateur dancers, etc. We recommend it 100%!
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Karavel
Époqu’Auto
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Époqu’Auto 2023
The international vintage motor vehicle trade show is ready to host the biggest event in its history featuring nearly 900 international exhibitors!
Japan, the home of many legendary vehicles, including its famous “young timers” - i.e., vehicles too recent to be officially considered “collector’s items” - will be the main attraction at this gigantic exhibition.
The mythical Mustang will also be in the spotlight, alongside the unprecedented unveiling of eleven coupés and cabriolets by US brand Ford, as well as MG, Bertone and Hotchkiss.
Events focusing on the 60th anniversary of Formula 3 (i.e., Formula 1’s “little brother”) will also be competing for applause.
From 8 to 10 November.
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Sébastien Sollier
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