A free open-air cinema in the heart of Lyon
Forget air-conditioned multiplexes and reclining seats: this summer, the most beautiful ceiling in the world will be above your heads. On the Place de l’Abbaye d’Ainay side, in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, the Cinema sous les Étoiles festival returns for a 24th edition which promises to be truly magical. For four evenings in July, nearly 800 spectators per session will come and sit in front of the giant screen to enjoy free outdoor screenings in an ultra-friendly atmosphere.
And the concept still works just as well: cult films, improvised deckchairs on the cobblestones of Lyon, a weather that we hope is more Mediterranean than Breton and this rare sensation of sharing a suspended moment with hundreds of strangers. Yes, a bit like the cinema… but with the bonus stars.
Cult films between Ghibli, Jim Carrey and Palme d’Or
This year, the programming is clearly in the heavyweight category. The festival will offer four films that have become essentials of the 7th art: The Truman Show, Captain Fantastic, Pom Poko Studios Ghibli and Parasitea huge South Korean hit rewarded with the Palme d’Or and then the Oscar for best film. Suffice to say that the level is far from the “Sunday evening film that you watch while scrolling on your phone†.
Ici, each screening has been designed as a collective experience around major contemporary themes: the consumer society, the relationship to freedom, the family, capitalism or even our dependence on the market value of things. Yes, it may sound serious said like that, but I promise, there will also be transforming raccoons and Jim Carrey talking to hidden cameras. The films will be screened in the original version with subtitles and preceded by a short film whose programming will be revealed soon.
A Lyon festival supported by passionate volunteers
Behind this meeting which has become cult in Lyon, we find the association Free Quartercomposed entirely of volunteers. All year round, they work to offer a free, popular cultural event accessible to all. To accompany the screenings, a refreshment bar will be set up on site to allow spectators to snack and toast between two cult scenes. The festival can also count on the support of Cinema and Miniature Museumdes cinemas Lumière and theécole 3IS.
En résumé : four free evenings, masterpieces of world cinema and an emblematic square in Lyon under a starry sky as a backdrop. Frankly, it’s difficult to find a better summer culture plan in the capital of Gaul.
Place d’Ainay – Lyon 2e
From July 15 to 18, 2026 from 8 p.m. (films start at 10 p.m.)
