Nuit Blanche is a free, annual, all night arts festival held since 2002 in public spaces and buildings in and around the city of Paris. The city is turned into a huge art space with art installations in different locations with music, dance, film and theatre productions and themed activities taking place simultaneously at multiple venues.
The first festival in 2002 had 20 venues including City Hall and an old compressed air plant which were transformed by various artists. 500,000 people turned up and went home only at sunrise. After that, the event has been held each year and there has been a steady increase in the number of visitors who turn up to experience this very special event that shows an old city in a new light.
The art installations and entertainments are programmed according to different themes each year. Events held so far have included gatherings of artists, architects and designers, interactive dialogues, glittering sculptures in different locations in central Paris, multiple video screenings in unexpected places, music presentations with hi-tech lighting and sound effects, choral performances, 3D films at Versailles, a Brazilian ball in central Paris and interactive art installations along the Seine and in the water.
Screening of horror films in an abandoned building, a mock parade of Sleepless Night of the Living Dead in eastern Paris, a musical performance featuring 300 electric guitars, sports and arts displays in multi cultural neighbourhoods, free form dance performances, illumination of some of the city’s famous landmarks, art installations along metro lines and in railway stations and digital films splashed on buildings are among some of the other past highlights.
The 2012 event is expected to take place at a host of venues along the Seine, around Hotel de Ville, Batignolles-Pigalle, La Nouvelle Athenes – Saint George and Montmatre. Audiences can expect extraordinary art installations and innovative entertainment that has come to characterize the festival.
Nuit Blanches is best experienced on foot. Walk to the venues to catch the spirit of the festival and to see the “City of Lights” like never before!
Enjoy legendary Raffles hospitality and service at Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris. Stay at this luxury hotel Paris to experience its sparkling new rooms and suites and public spaces embellished with art works that reflect the new joyous ambience here. As one of the premier luxury hotels Paris, it offers guests an excellent location, contemporary rooms and suites combining comfort and elegance, restaurants that offer special gastronomic experiences and spa treatments that can only be called heavenly. 
