Dinner in White: Thousands celebrate Paris' 30th white-clad picnic

World
Europe

02:33

In the French capital, thousands of people dressed in white GATHERED in front of Les Invalides to CELEBRATE the 30th white-clad "Diner en Blanc" picnic. Qi Jie takes a look at how WHITE adds a little joyous color to people's lives.

"Bonjour from Paris, Atlanta and New York!"

Guests arrived from Parisian streets carrying tables, chairs and baskets full of fine food and wine.

JONI DINER FROM US STATE OF TEXAS "We don't find out where we're meeting until the very last minute. We meet up at a secret meeting spot that we're told the day before and then we show up and we all get together and go to a secret place that we had no idea about and this is the perfect backdrop."

The exclusive, invite-only "Diner en Blanc" - or "Dinner in White" in English - is organized every year with the location remaining a closely guarded secret until the last minute to keep diners and the authorities in the dark.

GREGOIRE, ORGANIZER DINNER IN WHITE "This year we're at 15,000. The foreigners all arrive together, every time we share a great moment together, we meet new people, discover new music, we also share meals, talk to our neighbors, speak to people, enlarge our networks. But more especially, it's really a family vibe before anything else and that's what's pleasant."

But the event does not look like a makeshift affair, with thousands dressed to impress sitting at tables covered in crisp white tablecloths and crowned with candelabras.

KATE DINER FROM CALIFORNIA WHO LIVES IN FRANCE "So beautiful, all the tables and the dresses. Oh, my God, the fashion is incredible and to see actually men dressed up with tails and clean clothes. It's really really great and everyone from all over the world, all the nationalities are getting along together, it's beautiful. Life should be just like this."

Once everyone is ready, guests traditionally swing their white cloth napkins as a sign indicating the start of the dinner.

The event is held annually at a different Parisian monument. The idea has also proved popular abroad, mostly in North America and Europe. After Paris, the biggest gathering is Montreal in Canada. QIJIE, CGTN.