How do you keep a party of 17,000 secret?
© Meredith Mullins

Cultural Traditions of Dîner en Blanc

To the north, the Grand Palais glows in the twilight. To the south, the golden dome of Invalides dominates the sky. To the west, the Eiffel Tower peeks out above the trees. And, in a 360-degree panorama, everywhere there is a sea of white elegance.

Where are we?

We’re at the 2018 Paris Dîner en Blanc.

Surrounded by Paris history
© Meredith Mullins

Shhh. It’s a Secret

Just an hour before the dinner began, the secret venue for this annual adventure was revealed. The groups that were waiting in various gathering spots around the city were told where the fashionable event for 17,000 would be held.

Let the party begin—this year at the Esplanade des Invalides.

A “neighborhood gathering” on the Esplanade des Invalides
© Meredith Mullins

The event looks spontaneous, in a gigantic flash mob sort of way. But in fact, the planning is meticulous, and the logistical structure is complex.

The group leaders and table leaders know exactly who will be present, how they will get to the secret venue (bus, metro, or à pied), where the tables will be placed, and where each guest will be seated.

While it may seem chaotic in the 30 or 40 minutes after the secret location is announced, it is organized chaos.

The elegance of white (with a touch of red wine)
© Meredith Mullins

Longstanding Traditions

At the Dîner en Blanc, now in its 30^th year, cultural traditions prevail. Table after table of fashionable guests, wearing only white, come together at the secret location to dine with white linens, silver candelabras, white china, elegant wine and champagne glasses, gourmet meals, music, and the hautest of white haute couture— a perfect blend of fashion, gastronomy, and style.

Haute couture and silver wine goblets set the stage.
© Meredith Mullins

The rules are spelled out clearly and must be followed. Guests must arrive on time and follow the instructions of their group leader and table leader. Presence is mandatory, rain or shine; and everyone must stay until the end of the event and leave at the scheduled time.

Handmade Eiffel Tower tiaras may become a fashion trend.
© Meredith Mullins

The dress code is strict. Everything must be white, elegant, and tasteful. No ivory, cream, or eggshell (a Dîner en Blanc fashion faux pas). White means white, except for a splash of silver or gold for accessories.

A splash of silver and gold for accessories is allowed.
© Meredith Mullins

No baseball caps, T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, or tennis shoes. This is by no means an informal event.  Style matters . . . and creates the feeling of an upscale Gatsby gathering or a royal croquet/garden party.

Style matters
© Meredith Mullins

An International Touch

While the cultural traditions of the past are important, each year new traditions are created. This year, for the first time, the much sought after invitations were opened to international guests, as well as to the existing Parisian group.

International guests were invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dîner en Blanc.
© Meredith Mullins

The change in the invitation process was to celebrate the dinner’s 30^th anniversary . . . and to succeed in having the largest outdoor picnic in the world.

The 2018 invitation said: “We extend this invitation to thousands of people, on all continents, in over 30 countries and in 80 of the worlds’ largest cities, who all wish to share in a celebration of elegance, joy, and friendship. We hope you will join us to share the magic.”

A touch of New York in Paris
© Meredith Mullins

Elegant white-clad diners came from all corners of the world—from North America to Australia. More than one-third of the guests came from outside of France.

Once you’ve been invited, you’re set for the future.
© Meredith Mullins

One of the Australian organizers, Bella St Clair, estimated that nearly 200 guests were from Australia, many of them having attended the Dîner en Blanc in Sydney.

The Paris ambiance was similar to that of Sydney, she noted. “At Dîner en Blanc, everyone is friendly and open. They like the surprise and being part of something that’s a little oddball and crazy.”

Part of the Australian delegation and FOAs (friends of Australians)
© Fatima Negaran

The Dîner en Blanc Origins

The original cultural traditions were simple. Bring a meal to share and bring a new friend for the group to meet.

Although the event was carefully orchestrated, the organizer (founder François Pasquier) remained anonymous. When the police asked each participant who had invited them, the response was “my neighbor.” The dinner was just a simple “neighborhood” gathering.

The neighborhood picnic started in the Bois de Boulogne. The group decided to dress in white to make it easier to find one another.

Not only has the crowd size grown, but so has the number of musicians.
© Meredith Mullins

It was such a success that it continued each year and grew quickly to more than 1,000 people in the first year it left the Bois de Boulogne and landed on the Pont des Arts.

The 2013 Dîner en Blanc in the courtyard of the Louvre
© Meredith Mullins

Each year now, as the number of guests grows to anywhere between 5,000 and 15,000, the challenge is finding the perfect venue.

The Dîner en Blanc has already converged on the Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre courtyard, Parvis de Notre Dame, Place des Vosges, Trocadero, Versailles, the bridges of Paris, and the Champs de Mars.

The Dîner en Blanc white napkin salute in 2014 on the Pont d’Alexandre III
© Meredith Mullins

Don’t Ask Permission, Just Ask Forgiveness

To succeed with such a spontaneous event, the Diner en Blanc in Paris has a special relationship with the police.

The organizers believe in the philosophy of interpreting laws as “recommendations.” They have never asked permission to hold the event and have, thankfully, never had a problem. Their track record is impeccable.

Even the white unicorn follows the rules.
© Meredith Mullins

Part of the relationship with the authorities, as well as the success of the event, relies on the rules. The guests are respectful, the event ends at midnight, and the venue is left immaculate, even cleaner than when the event began.

Mobile phones capture every magic moment.
© Meredith Mullins

Aymeric Pasquier, son of the founder and now the worldwide organizer, has introduced the Dîner en Blanc concept around the world. The core of the tradition remains the same—a dinner among friends. However, the practical details in the 30 countries that are now a part of the tradition are challenging.

Aymeric Pasquier, son of Dîner en Blanc founder François Pasquier and organizer of the worldwide dinners, rises to the challenge of each country’s regulations.
© Meredith Mullins

In all countries except France, official permission must be granted, including getting a permit for a location, hiring security, and obtaining a license to have alcohol.

While these challenges require an investment of time and a willingness to negotiate with local authorities, the work has paid off, with successful Dîner en Blanc events around the world.

A toast among friends
© Meredith Mullins

Oh I See: The Meaning of Friendship

Even though the Dîner en Blanc numbers have grown over time, the spirit is still intimate and the cultural traditions have remained true to the original vision.

An event that started as a gathering of friends is still just that—a gathering of friends. It is built from the heart. Enjoying the best things in life . . . with style.

The end of a perfect evening
© Meredith Mullins

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