On the formulations of the Fermat principle in general relativity and beyond

This paper presents a survey of the Fermat principle within the framework of general relativity, tracing its evolution from classical optics to its modern variational formulation in Lorentzian geometry. In particular, we provide its proof in the framework of smooth lightlike curves. We also analyze the mathematical difficulties inherent in the relativistic setting, specifically demonstrating that the space of lightlike curves in the Sobolev topology does not admit a C¹ C 1 -manifold structure due to the cone nature of the null condition. To address these variational obstacles, we discuss alternative frameworks highlighting the role of the quadratic arrival time functional in establishing multiplicity results for light rays. Furthermore, we explore significant extensions of the principle, such as its application to extended sources and receivers, arbitrary arrival curves, timelike geodesics with prescribed proper time, Finsler spacetimes, or settings with a non-continuous interface giving rise to a Snell law.