What is la nuit blanche?
La Nuit Blanche (translated as “the sleepless night”) is a free contemporary arts festival, held from 7pm on Saturday October 1st to the early hours of Sunday morning.
It will see international contemporary artists bring their cutting-edge art installations to the streets of Paris.
Now in its 15th year, the “all-nighter” event enables art lovers and rookies alike to embark, map in hand, on an “artistic hike” across the cityscape, taking in works inspired by dance, music, street art and even the circus.
Where can I see it?
This year's events are mainly going to be centred around the Seine River. Download the app to see the full course, which stretches from the Gare de Lyon out to beyond the Eiffel Tower.
There's a theme of romance this time around, with organizers calling Saturday “an occasion to discover the city in a unique way with a symbolically drawn route which invites you to experience a romantic quest”.
What are the highlights this year?
Where to begin? Artistic director Jean de Loisy has certainly put together a big show, here are a few things worth keeping an eye out for.
Oliver Beer's exhibition at the Pont des Arts sounds like it will be impressive, with the artist putting microphones and lights under the water for what promises to be an intriguing display.
See the video below to understand more.
Departing from numerous stops around the city, free river shuttles will take you on an atmospheric journey through Paris’s rivers and canals, while playing sounds from an “experimental radio station” broadcasting live throughout the night.
Head to the Hotel de Ville any time between 8pm and 7am to see the City Hall's windows brought to life with animations and works from different artists on the theme of ‘love’.
Don't miss an exhibition from Anish Kapoor at the very tip of the Île de la Cité, in the small garden of Vert-Galant. He has created a kind of vortex whirlpool in the water that's been described as “hypnotic” and “seeming to want to devour anyone who approaches it”.
If you arrive at the Gare de Lyon before 7pm, you'll be in time to see Abraham Poincheval perched 15 metres above the ground on a little space where he has spent the past week. The artist once spent 13 days inside the stomach of a stuffed bear and one week in a cave with no lights. He will descend at 7pm.
There's also be cool optical illusions like the one at the Conciergerie pictured below, there'll be “the nymphs” of cabaret group Crazy Horse in the gardens of the Petit Palais between 8pm and 1am, and there'll be zombies from British artist Ryan Gander until 2am on the banks of the Seine.
Other artists to look out for include Alain Séchas, Stéphane Thidet, Fabrice Hyber, Bridget Polk andAlain Fleischer.
Read a full guide to the night here (in English).
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