Some Suggestions for Nuit Blanche 2006

This Saturday (October7) is the 5th annual Nuit Blanche, an all-night cultural festival created by Mayor Delanoë in 2002, and now copied (like Paris Plage) in cities throughout Europe. Like most festivals, it’s a bit chaotic, with huuuuuge crowds circulating throughout the city from sundown until sunrise. Most of the artistic installations listed in the program are grouped around certain neighborhoods like the Goutte d’Or in the 18th, Bercy-Tolbiac in the 13th, and Champs-Elysées-Concorde in the 8th.

But there are some interesting things going on that aren’t in the official City Hall program, and may appeal to those of you who don’t really want to be out after midnight.

From 11am until 4pm on Saturday, the contemporary art guides at Art Process will be giving "Sex>Design>Food>Video>GraphicDesign"  tours in their Buzz Bus to celebrate fashion week (don’t even tell me you didn’t notice all of the absurdly-dressed fashionistas stiletto-ing around town all week). The route includes stops at the best sex-book boutique in town, the offices of an architecture and design firm, and the showroom of one of their favorite fashion designers.

The tour costs €50 per person, or €35 if you become an Art Process Club Member. Contact Isabelle to reserve your place or get more info: 01 47 00 90 85 or info@art-process.com.

Another interesting event is taking place outside Paris at the Château de Versailles, therefore known as the Versailles Off Festival, taking place inside the palace and gardens on Saturday 8.30pm-3am, and Sunday 7.30pm-1am. Although you’ll have to drive to train out there, I think it’s totally worth it to see the magical  installations around the Château at night (including 18 wedding gowns by Christian Lacroix in the Royal Chapel and electronic baroque music in the garden’s Salle de Bal). AND IT’S FREE! Can’t beat that…dress warmly.