A Dinner in White: The Story of Dîner en Blanc

It began with a homecoming.

In 1988, a Frenchman named François Pasquier returned to Paris after several years abroad. To mark his return, he invited a group of friends to share a meal together. His garden, charming as it was, proved too small. So instead, they gathered in the Bois de Boulogne, one of the city's largest and most romantic parks, a place of quiet groves, still lakes, and winding paths. To find each other in the crowd, François asked everyone to wear white. Each guest brought their own gourmet picnic, and that night, a new tradition was born.It was meant to be a one-time thing, but for everyone who attended, something about the evening lingered. Maybe it was the simplicity of it, friends gathering with good food and no agenda. Maybe it was the magic of white figures in the moonlight, the elegance of it all without the formality. Whatever it was, they did it again the next year. And the next. And the next. The location changed each time, but the rules stayed the same. Dress in white, bring your own dinner, and share the evening with others.

What started as a small circle of friends quietly multiplied. By word of mouth, year after year, Dîner en Blanc grew. Eventually, thousands of guests were arriving, dressed head to toe in white, for a dinner party in the heart of Paris. Over the years, the dinners have appeared in some of the city’s most iconic locations: the courtyard of the Louvre, the Place Vendôme, the Esplanade des Invalides. For the thirtieth anniversary, more than seventeen thousand people raised glasses together beneath the Parisian sky.In 2009, Dîner en Blanc crossed the Atlantic to Montreal. Two years later, New York City hosted its first dinner, drawing over a thousand guests to the World Financial Center Plaza. Word spread quickly. By 2012, Dîner en Blanc became a global event. Today, it is celebrated in more than one hundred twenty cities across over forty countries.

Each city brings its character, but the spirit of the event remains unchanged. It's about coming together for one simple evening, sharing a meal with friends and strangers alike, all dressed in white, just to enjoy being in the same place at the same time.

If you have never seen it before, it is a lovely sight. People stream into a public space carrying baskets, folding tables, flowers, candlesticks, and linen napkins. The location is always kept secret until the last moment. Guests arrive, often by foot or public transit, and set up their tables quickly and silently. To begin the evening, there is a quiet pause, then a wave of white napkins in the air to signal that dinner has begun.

There are rules, but they do not feel strict. The white dress code is precise. So is the etiquette. Tables must be square, meals must be brought from home or a designated caterer, and guests are expected to leave the space cleaner than they found it. They help make the evening feel like something different than just another gathering.

Though the size of Dîner en Blanc in the most popular locations can be extraordinary, it’s still meant to be an intimate occasion at its heart. It’s about slowing down, sharing a meal with friends. It’s about candlelight and conversation. It is about creating beauty out of everyday things: your own plate, your own basket, your own table.

You don’t have to be in Paris or Manhattan to enjoy something like Dîner en Blanc. In fact, hosting your own version might be even better.

Invite a few friends or neighbors. Ask everyone to wear white. If you need something white to wear, our white Linen Riviera Dress or Cotton Nightgowns are a great option. Set up a table in your backyard, on a porch, or at a quiet park. Use what you have, but make it feel a little more thoughtful than usual. Bring out cloth napkins, real plates, a vase of flowers from the garden, and a few candles if you're staying out past sunset.

The food doesn’t need to be complicated. You can prep a few easy things ahead of time like grilled vegetables, a baguette with soft cheese, seasonal fruit, or a homemade salad. Fill a pitcher with lemonade or sparkling water. Let people bring a favorite to share.

Slow down and enjoy the kind of evening you often talk about but rarely plan. Put the phones away, keep things simple, and focus on the food, the setting, and the people around you.

That’s what the first Dîner en Blanc was really about. A simple way to come together and make an ordinary moment feel memorable.

If you need some inspiration for your own Diner en Blanc, shop our Summer on the Riviera Collection.