Fêtes Consulaires
Lyon meets the whole world on Place Bellecour
2026
About Fêtes Consulaires
For over twenty years, the Fêtes Consulaires have transformed Place Bellecour into a multicultural village where nearly 70 countries share their cultural and artistic treasures. Organized by the City of Lyon in partnership with the Consular Corps, this unique event in France attracts over 30,000 visitors each year for a weekend of exchanges, discoveries, and conviviality in the heart of the Lyon peninsula.
Fêtes Consulaires — edition 2026
The Fêtes Consulaires return to Place Bellecour on September 26th and 27th, 2026, under the theme "Tales and Legends of the World." Nearly 70 countries will be represented in the village, featuring interactive workshops, quizzes, exhibitions, and virtual reality. Admission is free. The "Consulats en fête" week, running from September 21st to 25th, will precede the weekend with events held throughout the city.
2026 Edition — September 26th and 27th
The Fêtes Consulaires village will be set up on Place Bellecour on Saturday, September 26th, from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, September 27th, from 12 pm to 5 pm. Admission is free.
Following "Natural and Architectural Treasures of Our Countries" in 2025, the City of Lyon has chosen "Tales and Legends of the World" as the theme for 2026. The participating consulates and associations will showcase the imaginative stories of their nations through interactive workshops, quizzes, games, exhibitions, and virtual reality.
The Passport Trail
A passport will be distributed for free at the City of Lyon stand. Visitors can fill it out by exploring the village and interacting with the various consulates and associations, then enter a prize draw to win gifts.
"Consulats en fête", September 21st to 25th
The week leading up to the weekend features several events organized across the city under the banner "Consulats en fête."
As of mid-August 2026, the City of Lyon has not yet released the detailed program: the list of participating countries, performance schedules, and the specific details for the "Consulats en fête" week are still to be announced.
Highlights Fêtes Consulaires 2026
- 2026 Theme: "Tales and Legends of the World"
- Nearly 70 countries represented by the Lyon Consular Corps
- Passport trail and prize draw
- Free admission at Place Bellecour
- "Consulats en fête" week from September 21st to 25th throughout the city
Programme Fêtes Consulaires 2026
Fêtes Consulaires Village — Place Bellecour
- Saturday, September 26th — open from 10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday, September 27th — open from 12 pm to 5 pm
2026 Theme: "Tales and Legends of the World." Nearly 70 countries are represented by the Lyon Consular Corps and local foreign associations.
Village Activities
- Interactive workshops
- Quizzes and games
- Exhibitions
- Virtual reality
- Passport trail: a passport is distributed for free at the City of Lyon stand; fill it out by engaging with the village's consulates and associations to enter a prize draw.
"Consulats en fête" Week — September 21st to 25th
Before the main weekend, several events held throughout the city are included in the Fêtes Consulaires program.
The City of Lyon has marked the event page as "program to come": as of mid-August 2026, the performance schedule, the list of participating countries, and the details for "Consulats en fête" have not yet been published.
Prices Fêtes Consulaires 2026
Practical information — Fêtes Consulaires
Practical Information
Access
By public transport: Metro lines A and D, Bellecour stop. Buses C3, C5, C9, C10, C12, C14, and C23, Bellecour stop.
By car: Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon. Bellecour underground parking (access via rue du Colonel Chambonnet).
Prices
Completely free event. Free access.
Hours
Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM · Sunday: 12 PM - 5 PM.
The Fêtes Consulaires: the whole world in the heart of Lyon
A unique event in France, the Fêtes Consulaires de Lyon have been celebrating the city's openness to the world for over twenty years. Every year, Place Bellecour — Europe's largest pedestrian square — transforms into an international village where consular delegations from nearly 70 countries invite Lyonnais residents and visitors on a journey around the world without leaving the city center.
World cultural heritage at your fingertips
The heart of the Fêtes Consulaires lies in the stands of the consulates and foreign communities established in Lyon. Each represented country unveils its riches through exhibitions, artisanal demonstrations, culinary tastings, and artistic performances. From Japan to Brazil, from Italy to Senegal, from Turkey to Mexico, it's a true world tour of flavors, savoir-faire, and traditions offered to visitors.
A festive and participatory program
Beyond discovering the stands, the Fêtes Consulaires offer a program rich in animations and shows. Traditional dance performances, world music concerts, martial arts demonstrations, and interactive workshops punctuate the two days of the event. Quizzes and cultural games allow the public to test their knowledge of the represented countries, with prizes to be won. Virtual reality experiences complete this innovative program.
Lyon, consular capital
With nearly 70 consulates represented on its territory, Lyon has the second-largest consular corps in France after Paris. This exceptional diplomatic presence testifies to the metropolis's international influence and its economic and cultural attractiveness. The Fêtes Consulaires embody this international dimension by offering a moment of sharing and intercultural dialogue open to all.
A unifying and free event
With over 30,000 visitors each year, the Fêtes Consulaires have become an eagerly anticipated event in the Lyon calendar. The free admission to the event, the centrality of Place Bellecour, and the diversity of the offerings make it a popular and unifying highlight, where families, students, tourists, and the curious gather to celebrate the richness of cultural diversity together.
Where does it take place — Fêtes Consulaires
Fêtes Consulaires in brief
History of Fêtes Consulaires
Edition 2025 Jun 2025Other festivals near Lyon
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