The Super Chic, Super Secret Dîner en Blanc Tomorrow

Each summer, in the golden glow of the early evening light, thousands of people emerge from their apartments, dressed all in white, and head to a secret location for the picnic of all picnics.

The buzzed about Dîner en Blanc will take place tomorrow night, June 14th, marking the celebration’s 24th anniversary.  Each summer, thousands of privileged invitees gather around  an iconic monument of Paris, dressed all in white, with gourmet picnics and cold champagne to dine under the stars and candlelight.

Photo courtesy of the New York Times

Last year’s dinner was held in the Cour Carré du Louvre, the interior courtyard of the Louvre museum, as well as in front of the Notre Dame church.  Images surface after the event each year of attendees waving sparklers and having a ball with friends, drinking, dancing, and eating until midnight, when the perfectly lined rows of white tables are packed up just as quickly as they were placed down. Images that generally incite jealousy from all who wish they too had been invited to partake in the festivities.

While the location may be a secret until dusk on the day of the dinner, invitations are sent out weeks in advance to a select group of people.

“The emphasis is on spontaneity, but we are making absolutely sure to be completely in accordance with all city rules,” said Ms. Simoes, an elementary school director at the Lyceum Kennedy, who volunteered for the Dîner organizing job. “But we don’t want the guests to be impacted by our concerns. The guests should only be concerned about the dress code, and the tables they’ll carry, and what kind of food they will prepare.”  New York Times, 2011

Paris isn’t the only city to host a Dinner in White, as the group has also begun the tradition in New York, Milan, Montreal, and other cities around the world.

So, whether you’re invited or not, at least now you’re in the know. And when you see those hoards of people in white tomorrow, you’ll know exactly who to follow.