LA NUIT BLANCHE / WHAT DID I THINK?

La Nuit Blanche - what is it?

I hadn't heard of La Nuit Blanche until I moved to Paris and was talking to some friends who'd gone last year. They asked me if I was going, but as I hadn't heard of it, I declined. But after doing some more research I was definitely intrigued.

La Nuit Blanche is an annual arts festival that takes place through the night. The concept came from Jean Blaise, and 'nuits blanches' have been set up all over the world. Art installations, performances, music and lights take over cultural institutions for one night. In effect, the city is turned into an art gallery of sorts.

Paris' Nuit Blanche has been going since 2002, so by now it's pretty well known among Parisiens. After reading so much about it, I changed my mind about going - I wanted to see what it was all about. So on the first Saturday of October, I put on my winter coat and headed out for a night of art - how cultured!

But all in all, La Nuit Blanche was extremely ... bizarre. There wasn't much information around of what was on, and what would be good - particularly in English. So I trudged through French websites and tried to see what events were where. In all honesty, they seemed like really odd art exhibitions. And in odd places too - call me crazy, but I was expecting images projected on the Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower.

We walked for several hours around the city but we just couldn't find much going on and certainly not in one place. There was a bit going on at the Pompidou Centre and by Hotel de Ville, so that would be the best place to start. 

However, everything had enormous queues, as predicted. The art was very politically charged, for example the revolutions art installation outside Hotel de Ville. I don't think it was the event for me, but I do appreciate the incredible operation to take a whole night and create art  around the city. 

Some tips for La Nuit Blanche for next year

1. Get yourself a programme and map! I only saw these (a little A5 booklet) being given out at Hotel de Ville, so I would recommend making this your first stop. The booklet breaks down what's going on in each arrondissement, and which restaurants will be open all night.

2. Check out your transport options ahead of time to save stress at the end of the night. This year, two metro lines were open all night as well as increased night bus options. If you find that your line isn't going to be open, Uber is the best and cheapest taxi option.

3. If you can, google translate some Paris tourist office webpages and decide on which locations you'd like to get to on the night. Then go pick up a programme and get to your destination! It's good to have an idea of what you;d like to see. 

4. Finally, be prepared for winding up in a bar if the art doesn't go to plan... Long queues and busy installations means that sometimes a bar could be the best option. 

La Nuit Blanche was not at all what I was expecting, and I didn't enjoy it all that much personally. Definitely too cultured for me haha! But you'll have to go next year to see for yourself.