Les Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon

Every June and July since 1946, the Nuits de Fourvière festival has thrilled its audience in the Roman amphitheatre in Lyon, former capital of Gaul. The 2018 edition is set for 1st June–28th July.

With eight plays, three circus shows, seven ballets and over 40 concerts: what could be better? Les Nuits de Fourvière is one of France’s biggest festivals: last year, more than 130,000 spectators made the trip to one of the performances, most of which take place in the superb ancient theatre situated on Fourvière hill. Some plays and circus shows are put on in other places around Lyon.

The music programme for 2018 is very varied, promising several major headliners within the two-month period. One of the first will be Fatoumata Diawara, a Malian singer brought into the limelight by the film ‘Tombouctou’ and by her recent collaboration on M’s album ‘Lamomali’.

Other acts not to be missed include French singer Etienne Daho (11th June), American band LCD Soundsystem (12th June), Marseille rappers IAM accompanied by a symphony orchestra (14th June), rock stars Texas (15th June), singer Juliette Armanet (20th June), trip-hop band Massive Attack (1st July) and singer Julien Clerc (4th July).

Rock fans should note down two dates in particular: 8th July, when Jack White will stop in Lyon for one of the rare French appearances during his 2018 tour (he’s also performing in Paris and at the Beauregard Festival), and 10th July, when the Arctic Monkeys will take to the amphitheatre stage.

Bigflo and Oli, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Benjamin Biolay, Ibeyi, Bernard Lavilliers, MC Solaar and Jain complete the 2018 line-up. On the dance side, we’ll be watching out for performances by Dunas, arranged by Flemish choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, on 15th and 16th June at the Maison de la Danse.

Les Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon