This is your invitation to the most exclusive party in Paris

THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO THE MOST EXCLUSIVE PARTY IN PARIS

So, did you ever dress up in white and had an elegant dinner with your friends on Pont des Arts or on the Esplanade de Notre-Dame?

It sounds impossible, no?

Actually, Le Dîner en Blanc concept is exactly that, and it began in Paris in 1988 when François Pasquier invited a group of friends to an elegant outdoor dinner at Bois de Boulogne, asking them to dress in white so they could find each other. It spread in 70 cities around the world since.

This year, for its 30th anniversary, it is the first time when the organizers are inviting guests from around the world.

Read the article below, to find out the behind the scenes of this mysterious event – and the once in a lifetime opportunity you shouldn’t miss – and watch the video to see the event in action, and what to expect (though every year, the location is kept strictly secret from everyone, until the very last minute).

(This week: Le Dîner en Blanc en Paris)

The why

Nearly 30 years ago in Paris…

Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier nearly 30 years ago, Le Dîner en Blanc® de Paris now assembles over 10,000 guest every year, with a record 15,000 people attending the 25th anniversary in 2013.

Beyond the spectacle and elegance of the dinner itself, guests are brought together from diverse backgrounds by good taste and a love of beauty.

Le Dîner en Blanc recalls the elegance and glamor of high French society, and guests engage one another, knowing that they are taking part in a truly magical event. There are no disruptions: no car traffic, no pedestrian traffic—only amazed and astonished looks from passersby observing the scene before them. And participants, like spectators, wonder whether it’s all not a dream…

(From DinerEnBlanc.com)

The where

At the last minute, the secret location is revealed to thousands of friends who have all been patiently waiting to learn where “Dîner en Blanc” will take place. Thousands of people, dressed all in white, and conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, all meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space.

Over the course of the evening, guests experience the beauty and value of their city’s public spaces by participating in the unexpected.

The French capital’s most prestigious sites have played host the event over the years: The Pont des Arts, the Eiffel Tower, Place Vendôme, the Château de Versailles, the Esplanade de Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, the periphery of the Place de l’Étoile, the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Le Louvre Pyramid, Trocadéro Esplanade, and the Palais Royal Garden!

The Paris police continue to tolerate this ‘wild’ gathering, if not perhaps even wishing they could join in!

(From DinerEnBlanc.com)

The 2018 invite

“On Sunday, June 3, 2018, in one of Paris’ most prestigious locations, an immense Le Dîner en Blanc will bring together some 20,000 people, half of whom are from other countries, to dine at the same table. We extend this invitation to thousands of people who, on all continents, in over 30 countries and in 80 of the world’s largest cities, all wish to share the taste of celebration with us in elegance, joy and friendship.

However, Le Dîner en Blanc is ever so much more than just a collective meal: for a few incredible hours, a special magic permeates the site and envelops all in attendance, making everything seem more beautiful and the future seem even brighter…

With us, in Paris, you will experience all of this.

Close your eyes and just think of the profound joy you will feel when surrounded by thousands of twinkling little lights, dazzling your eyes and enchanting your soul, over the course of this exceptional Parisian evening.

If you are available the first week of June, why not come to see us and discover or re-discover the charm and mystery of Paris?”

(From François Pasquier’s invitation on DinerEnBlanc.com)

The deets for June 3, 2018

I can take one person with me at this year’s Dîner en Blanc in Paris, which is its 30th anniversary.

In order to make this happen, I have to register on April 23rd at 9am EDT sharp, and I need the name of the person who will come with me in Paris. If that is you, please contact me before April 22nd at midnight EDT.

Le Dîner en Blanc will be the welcome party that opens the J’Ouellette® Immersion Retreat 1:1 which takes place between June 3-9. It will be our luxury dinner that starts the one week immersion – I always do this in my retreat, and this will be the most amazing experience you can ever have. : )

And now, more details, from the organizers:

1) Your registration is a firm commitment on your part. It takes place online, on April 23rd at 9am EDT.

Registration is at no cost to you, as it will be part of the Immersion Retreat.

2) Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris has unique organizational particularities.

This is a pop-up event for which the organizers assume no responsibility or liability. Therefore, it is recommended that participants obtain proper insurance coverage for themselves and their equipment.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

3) Transportation

International participants will travel to the event location by public transit and by foot. You will need to be prepared to move and transport your equipment to the secret site.

4) Equipment, Food, and Beverage

To facilitate the logistics for participants and international volunteer leaders who do not wish to travel with their own equipment, dinner kits will soon be on sale via a partner website. These kits will include a table, chairs, dishware, dinner, wine, and champagne.

5) Booking Flight and Hotel

Online Booking: Every participant is responsible for organizing their own flights and hotels.

For participants travelling from the US, Canada and Australia: Dîner en Blanc has a convenient solution for you. We have partnered with Flight Centre to offer you a personalized service. Let me know if you are interested.

Hotel: Dîner en Blanc has also partnered with Accor Hotels Group to offer you lower prices on high quality Hotels in downtown Paris. Please let me know if interested.

Don’t wait too long before reserving your hotel. June is a very busy period in Paris, especially with the French Open (Roland Garros) taking place at the same time.

I invite you to read the details of the J’Ouellette® French immersion retreat in Paris 1:1, an event as exclusive as Le Dîner en Blanc, because I design it based on your tastes, your level and your specific goals.

If not now, then when? 🙂

Immerse yourself as you FINALLY reach your dream of becoming bilingual, learn to speak Parisian French on Skype and BREAK your language barrier!

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN!
Tell us in the comments below, what is your favorite French conversation exercise, that you could share with everyone else?

Let me guess.