Thousands flock to Paris for a ‘Diner en blanc’ meal on the French capital’s streets 

Thousands of party-goers have descended on the centre of Paris for an enormous all-white dinner on the city’s streets. 

Parisians and tourists alike donned all-white outfits and enjoyed gourmet picnics on Sunday in front of the French capital’s 19th century Les Invalides monument.

The location of the 30th anniversary staging of the international dining event known as ‘Diner en Blanc,’ or ‘Dinner in White,’ was revealed to participants in a series of text messages up until the last minute.

People gathered on green lawns with fabulous views of the gold-domed building that houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte and other prominent French figures.

They brought tables with white tablecloths and sipped champagne and wine.

Organizers expected 20,000 to 30,000 participants, one-third of them from outside France. The Champs-Elysees avenue, the Louvre museum and the Eiffel Tower are among past sites.

Francois Pasquier, who launched the event in Paris in 1988, said more than two dozen orchestras were set to entertain guests.

Last year, over 110,000 people in 28 countries participated in ‘Dinner in White’ events.

A smiling guest poses with a glass of champagne in hand as the sun goes down over the well-attended city center event

Revellers could be seen modelling a variety of white outfits. This woman was pictured sporting an unusual bonnet with the number 30 atop - a reference to the 30th anniversary of the event

Revellers could be seen modelling a variety of white outfits. This woman was pictured sporting an unusual bonnet with the number 30 atop – a reference to the 30th anniversary of the event

Hundreds of diners brought everything from tables and chairs to food hampers and extravagant picnics with them for the remarkable occasion

Hundreds of diners brought everything from tables and chairs to food hampers and extravagant picnics with them for the remarkable occasion

The event took place on the world famous Invalides esplanade which houses a number of the French capital's most famous museums

The event took place on the world famous Invalides esplanade which houses a number of the French capital’s most famous museums

Party-goers made their way to the festival by bus carrying everything they needed for the event in suitcases and shopping bags

Party-goers made their way to the festival by bus carrying everything they needed for the event in suitcases and shopping bags

A group of revellers lugging their portable deckchairs through the city centre as they set up for the feast in the early stages of the evening

A group of revellers lugging their portable deckchairs through the city centre as they set up for the feast in the early stages of the evening

Diners got the chance to feast just metres from the historic military history museum and several other key government buildings

Diners got the chance to feast just metres from the historic military history museum and several other key government buildings

A man and a woman enjoying a candle-lit dinner for two as the celebrations get well and truly underway to mark the occasion

A man and a woman enjoying a candle-lit dinner for two as the celebrations get well and truly underway to mark the occasion

An amorous couple kiss at the end of the evening while thousands of people packed up and headed for home after the festivities

An amorous couple kiss at the end of the evening while thousands of people packed up and headed for home after the festivities

There was a heavy police presence at the event in the wake of several recent terror attacks in France and throughout mainland Europe

There was a heavy police presence at the event in the wake of several recent terror attacks in France and throughout mainland Europe

Organisers said that upwards of 30,000 people were expected to attend the event which has become one of Paris' main traditions

Organisers said that upwards of 30,000 people were expected to attend the event which has become one of Paris’ main traditions



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