There is one night in October in Paris when you really want to be here. Nuit Blanche (White Night) is an annual all-night arts festival of a city. This is when typically museums, private and public art galleries, and other cultural institutions open and are free of charge, with the centre of the city itself being turned into a de facto art gallery, providing space for art installations, performances, themed social gatherings, and other activities.

In 1989, the Helsinki Festival established its Night of the Arts, with a bunch of cities adapting this colourful celebration into their urban traditions. This event gives the locals and travelers a chance to rediscover the city through various locations, some prestigious, others abandoned, quirky, and sometimes presented from an unusual angle or a particular perspective provided by contemporary works of art.

Whilst October is a time of good value for a Paris stay, hotel rooms are in high demand with surging prices during the White Night. We highly recommend making all bookings ahead of time to enjoy better rates – our team can certainly help you with that.

Last year over a million enjoyed the festival, which lasts from 7pm in the evening to 7am in the morning. So, get some good sleep the day before and dive into this artistic paradise, only accessible once a year.

In 2019, the White Night took place on Saturday October 5. This 18th edition of the art night is trusted to Didier Fusillier who has invited about a hundred artists. Great musical march, a night race in the museums, a bicycle lane on the beltway, what a thrilling program!

To make it easier for festival patrons to get around the city during Nuit Blanche. Selected Paris Metro lines will run all night. While early October is a beautiful time to visit Paris. The nights can be a little chilly. Be sure to pack a warm sweater or coat so you won’t get cold while ambling around the exhibits.

This is a great way to kick off your European holiday.