An Evening Surprise in Paris…Diner En Blanc
Bonjour,
Our step meter hit almost 16,000 yesterday thanks to our great luck in once again encountering Diner en Blanc or Dinner in White. This is a phenomenon which began in Paris many years ago and has spread to other large cities in Europe and beyond. If you read Bernie’s Paris, you will remember the story. A Parisian had invited a group of friends to a park to share in a picnic. He knew them all, but they didn’t know each other; thus he instructed them to wear white for easy recognition. And so it began. It has grown to hundreds of people and is by elite invitation only. It’s very organized in cliques which meet initially at designated locations close to their central dining point. Then they march in orderly fashion together in a mass convergence. And last night that final destination was the large place at L’Hotel de Ville which is the City Hall of Paris…and only a short walk from our apartment.
After an average day, which yes, included watching the Comey testimony (we are so American!), we went downstairs to our little café for a cup of coffee after our dinner. We were having a nice discussion with an Australian couple when suddenly a group of six came strolling by all in white, carrying tables and chairs and picnic baskets. I jumped up abruptly and said, “Bernie, it’s diner en blanc. We have to go!” The couple was confused, I told Bernie to pay and offer our apologies while I chased after them. You see the destination is held in great secrecy, and we had no idea where they would end up! Off I went, trying to keep them in my sights, asking the couple if they wanted to come as I was fast walking away. They declined which was their loss.
We chased them for about 30 minutes and as I predicted, the destination was at City Hall. This is the second time we’ve fallen into luck at being at just the right place at the right time. Eventually, it gets so crowded, you have to leave for fear of being trapped! Our original exposure as I captured in our book was in La Place des Vosges. Enjoy these fun pictures. 
The earlier part of our day was spent looking for an art enclave called 59 Rivoli. Street numbers in Paris are crazy. There is no correlation between numbers on one side of the street versus the other, so after several missed cues and many steps, we found it. And, you guessed it, it was closed despite the fact that the posted hours were 1-8pm. Peggy Bilbro, this is one to look up. It’s free and looked amazing on the internet. Knowing you guys, you’ve already been there!
Strolling back home, we ran across our favorite locally-owned shop in the Marais, Izrael, which is also featured in our book. We love the pickled garlic!
The “Purely Paris” photo of the day has to be the guy in the tutu!
Hope we haven’t worn you out with all the photos!
À bientôt,
L & B
June 9, 2017 @ 9:51 am
Love your morning posts from Paris! Cheers across the Channel (politics here too – urrrgh!) and bonne journée:
June 9, 2017 @ 10:16 am
Merci beaucoup!
June 9, 2017 @ 10:57 am
How wonderful that you happened to be in the right place at the right time to observe the Dinner in White event!
June 9, 2017 @ 11:43 am
There can never be too many pictures! Glad you got to see the white dinner again. So much fun!
June 9, 2017 @ 1:36 pm
Love the photos and the concept of Dinner in white. Take care and stay safe.
June 9, 2017 @ 2:20 pm
I think we should organize something like this in Huntsville at the BSPark!
Don’t sully your time in Paris with watching TV about American politics. You can always catch up.
June 9, 2017 @ 2:22 pm
I have long wanted to do Diner en Blanc up at Burritt, but the concept is trademarked. Have no idea what the rights would be. You’re probably right about the politics. The British are upside down as well.
June 9, 2017 @ 2:23 pm
Great descriptive and exciting chase scene of y’all following the group to the Diner en Blanc. I agree with CAROLYNB, your posts reach us in the morning and I’ve found that it’s bright way to help get the day started in the right directionl. You two are getting good at this. Thank you.
June 9, 2017 @ 2:33 pm
Thank YOU! We’re having fun. Today’s weather is gorgeous!
June 9, 2017 @ 6:01 pm
We’ve passed the art enclave many times and I’ve taken photos of the doors and the façade from various angles. The paint job changes from year to year! I’ve found it hard to photo because of people, parked cars, traffic, lighting, etc. We’ve never been inside and have never gone there specifically to see it. Somehow we just keep stumbling across it so I always try to grab a few quick photos.
June 9, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
I like the idea of organizing one in Huntsville. That would be fun. We’ll wait until you return.
June 9, 2017 @ 11:45 pm
Love the photos Linda you look beautiful as always and it was great that you were in the right place at the right time to get to witness the dinner in white I always found that so perfect enjoy Linda and Bernie and stay safe
June 10, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
Love this story and if I am not mistaken Danielle Steele wrote a book about this event and it is a wonderful story. Again, may have the wrong author but I have read about this terrific event recently! Love your blogs and pictures
June 10, 2017 @ 4:21 pm
Glad you are reading the blog! I’ll have to check on this info. Didn’t know it.
June 10, 2017 @ 9:15 pm
Great day again! What could we do to keep ourselves as busy as you in Huntsville? And the dinner sounds marvelous. Do people bring their own food?
Keep on reporting. Love you.
June 11, 2017 @ 2:48 am
Yes, picnic baskets, sacks, whatever they can. It’s an amazing spread of food!
June 10, 2017 @ 10:42 pm
I love Izrael. The second you walk in to be enveloped in the smell of all those wonderful spices…heaven. Whenever I go to Paris with someone who hasn’t been yet, I always take them there. So delightfully UNtouristy. Of course I can’t be that close to it and not cross the road and go to Au Petit Versailles Du Marais for a pain au chocolat and some macaron. Back up to the steps of Saint-Gervais to enjoy our spoils.
June 10, 2017 @ 10:52 pm
Oh, and my one wish is to be in Paris for diner en blanc AND get a coveted invitation!
June 13, 2017 @ 7:20 pm
Diner en Blanc !…. If I had known what it was all about I would have been chasing you two for a view of this amazing event !… Fantastic shots, Bernie !… I really didn’t miss out on much after all with all that you captured on your camera… I got to relax whilst you two did all the running !
June 25, 2017 @ 2:08 pm
Love your photos of Diner en Blanc!!! My
Niece & her husband just attended Cincinnati’s DEB last night!! (June 24) She has posted photos & a short video of the event on her FB page. Cincinnati has been holding DEB for several years..last night’s secret location was the grounds of Cincy’s famous Art Museum. The attendees must meet at one of two locations in the city & board buses to be taken to the DEB surprise location. If you go read the DEB entry on Wikipedia- they share the story & have photos of the 25th Anniversary in Paris which was at the Effifel Tower for over 1000 people..just a wonderful photo!! Enjoying your blog as always!!
June 25, 2017 @ 3:09 pm
I knew the concept had been trademarked or franchised or whatever one would call it. Do you have any idea of the cost for Cincinnati to obtain the rights? We saw it one other time in La Place des Vosges.