A Guide on How to Conquer Nuit Blanche
If you’ve seen the billboards popping up all over town and your newsfeed, it’s likely that you’re getting ready to pull another one of those annual, city-endorsed all-nighters. That’s right, stock up on them Red Bulls because this year’s Nuit Blanche looks like it’s going to be one of the best. For those of you who don’t know what Nuit Blanche is, it’s simple: For one night only, Paris is taken over by art installations all until the sun comes up. From 7 p.m. Saturday October 3rd until 7 a.m. Sunday, the entire city blossoms into a immersive, urban museum with monumental works, audio-visual displays, theatrical events and more.
With a large roster of international artists, Nuit Blanche is a lively way to engage and interact with contemporary art in Paris. Even if this isn’t your first Nuit Blanche, it can get difficult to navigate with so much to see and do. That's why I'm going to break down the essentials of navigating your ‘white night’ experience.
Don't miss. Le Petit Ceinture. The abandoned train track that is Paris' 'little belt' is easily one of my favorite places on any day of the week. Don't miss the temporary revival of a forgotten place.
Don't miss. Silence Station Night. This one you'll have to shell out 26 euros for, but it's a perfect choice if you're trying to turn up while still experiencing Nuit Blanche. For the first time in over 150 years, you'll have the chance to party in the historic Gare du Nord.
Where. Head to the Rive droite to discover a transformed Paris along two different routes. The Parcours Nord-Ouest starts at Parc Monceau and goes to the Petit Ceinture (which is the abandoned train track that encircles the city) via the eco-district of Clichy-Batignolles. The other route, the Parcours Nord-Est, runs from Gare du Nord to Aubervilliers. The surrounding areas and the Hotel de Ville also take part in the works, which may be a good place to start.
Getting Around. I highly suggest discovering Nuit Blanche by foot, but that's not the only option... Just as the face of the city reinvents itself for the night, below us the metro will be providing non-stop service until 5:30 a.m. Not all lines and stops will be serviced, make sure you know which ones are working by clicking here.
Follow the blue line. Drawn on the ground along the routes, the line will lead you to the IN projects. Step off the side of the path for a look at OFF projects.
Navigate. Pick up a free copy of the official map and guide at the various info points located on the route. They will be there to help you until 1 a.m.
Download the app. It's really helpful. It gives you access to the entire program, complete with locations and descriptions. Download it here.
Hungry? Here is a map of food trucks that will be staying open all night.
