Every Fall, the contemporary creation is celebrated in Paris for the traditional White Night. Planned on Saturday October 1, 2022, this year, this major event is the occasion to enjoy art events proposed for free and by night, all around the city and beyond. But do you know when and why the White Night was launched? Here is the story and origin of this event that grew as major in Paris.
In 2002, as Bertrand Delanoë was then the mayor of the city, the first White Night was created under the impulsion of the City of Paris. The goal of this popular and festive event? Proposing inhabitants of the city contemporary creations to come and admire and listen for one night only. Whether these involve sound or visual installations, performances, monumental sculptures or even exhibitions… Contemporary art in all its shapes and sizes is given pride of place in heritage, cultural, unusual places, as well as squares, bridges and gardens in Paris.
In 2002, the artistic direction of the first White Night is entrusted to show art director Jean Blaise. He then creates a huge nighttime art party, free and open to all, with a collective tour with a spiritual dimension. And success was met, since in the night of October 5, 2002; 500,000 people come to be curious and discover installations created on the occasion.
Since then, the White Night has evolved a lot and even extended to the Greater Paris metropolis. Since it was launched in 2002, over 4,000 international and French artists – famous or emerging – worked hard to unveil their work to the general public.
And the success of the White Night now widely goes beyond borders since thirty cities took over the idea of the White Night such as Bilbao, Seville, Venice, Rome, Vilnius, Bratislava, Leeds, as well as Montreal, Toronto and even Miami.
Nuit Blanche 2024: discover the program by arrondissement in Paris
For Nuit Blanche 2024, Paris is inviting a host of artists and collectives to take to the streets of the capital on the night of June 1 to 2, 2024. A chance to discover Paris from a whole new angle, through dozens of free events in every arrondissement of the capital. Discover the best of the program by arrondissement. [Read more]
Nuit Blanche returns to Paris this Saturday, June 1, 2024. Get ready to discover little-known places, admire new artists and enjoy crazy experiences! Here's a roundup of the unusual things you can do for the occasion! [Read more]
Careful, note that from 2023, the White Night in Paris will be held in June.
La Nuit Blanche is the unmissable artistic and festive event of the year in Paris. Discover the date and theme of the next edition in 2024. [Read more]
Nuit Blanche 2024: discover the program by arrondissement in Paris
Nuit Blanche 2024 in Paris: the program of original and unusual events
