Nuit Blanche
The night of contemporary art in Paris
About Nuit Blanche
Nuit Blanche: When Paris Becomes an Open-Air Museum
The first Nuit Blanche took place on the night of October 5 to 6, 2002, under the impetus of Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë and his cultural deputy Christophe Girard. The artistic direction of this inaugural edition was entrusted to Jean Blaise, who conceived the event as a grand nocturnal art festival, free and open to all. The idea: to offer Parisians the chance to rediscover their own city through artistic installations in prestigious, abandoned, or unusual locations, presented from an unconventional perspective.
The success exceeded all expectations: 500,000 people gathered during this first night, forming queues that only dispersed at sunrise. The second edition, in 2003, saw the number of venues increase from 20 to 110, confirming the popular enthusiasm for this unparalleled event.
A Unique Concept: Contemporary Art for All, at Night
The principle of Nuit Blanche is simple and radical: for an entire night, contemporary art leaves museums and galleries to take over public spaces. Internationally renowned artists and emerging creators are invited to design specific works and installations for chosen locations — squares, gardens, bridges, churches, train stations, hospitals, cemeteries, swimming pools, administrative buildings — transforming the everyday into an artistic experience.
Each edition is entrusted to an artistic director who defines the theme and tone of the night. Among the personalities who have marked the event: Jean Blaise (2002), Alexia Fabre and Frank Lamy (2008), José-Manuel Gonçalvès (2014), and more recently the directors who have extended the event to the entire Île-de-France region.
A Format That Has Extended to Île-de-France
Initially centered on Paris intra-muros, Nuit Blanche has gradually extended to Île-de-France. For several editions now, Seine-Saint-Denis and other departments in the Île-de-France region have fully participated in the event, with artistic trails in cities like Saint-Denis, Montreuil, Pantin, or Aubervilliers.
Over Twenty Years of Nocturnal Art
In over two decades, Nuit Blanche has established itself as one of the major cultural events in Parisian life. The event has inspired dozens of cities around the world — from Brussels to Toronto, from Rome to Melbourne — which have created their own white nights, making Paris the birthplace of a global cultural phenomenon.
Each edition attracts over one million visitors, a mix of Parisians from all neighborhoods, families, students, tourists, and art lovers. The complete freeness of the event, supported by the City of Paris with the backing of the Ministry of Culture, guarantees unrestricted access.
2026 Edition: The Theme of Love
For the 2026 edition, the artistic direction is entrusted to Barbara Butch, a DJ, artist, and producer of festive events, a figure on the LGBTQI+ scene and an engaged personality. The chosen theme is Love, explored through installations, performances, and nocturnal trails throughout Paris and Île-de-France.
Nuit Blanche — edition 2026
The 25th edition of Nuit Blanche takes place on the night of Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Paris, in the Greater Paris metropolis and extending to Le Havre. Under the artistic direction of Barbara Butch, DJ and figure of the Parisian inclusive scene, assisted by Marie Gautier, this anniversary edition celebrates Love through more than 200 free events — immersive installations, choreographed performances, sound art, and concerts — in public spaces, museums, and venues usually closed to the public. The official poster was designed by Pierre et Gilles.
25th Edition — Nuit Blanche 2026: The Grand Celebration of Love
Nuit Blanche celebrates its 25th anniversary on the night of Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 7, 2026. The artistic direction is entrusted to Barbara Butch, DJ, producer of festive events, and emblematic figure of the Parisian LGBTQI+ scene, assisted by Marie Gautier. She won the call for projects launched by the City of Paris and presents a carte blanche under the sign of love — not as a sentimental feeling, but as a collective and political gesture that brings together and celebrates diversity.
The poster for this edition was conceived by the artist duo Pierre et Gilles.
A "Monumental" and Participatory Edition
The 2026 edition offers more than 200 free artistic events presented by over a hundred invited artists. Nearly 80% of the program is dedicated to emerging talents, with strict gender parity. Three highlights structure the night around works commissioned from Barbara Butch herself, Mathias Kiss, and VJ Milosh.
The Route Extends to the Metropolis and Le Havre
Beyond the 20 arrondissements of Paris, the event spreads throughout the Greater Paris metropolis (Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Hauts-de-Seine — notably Saint-Denis, Montreuil, Pantin, Rueil-Malmaison, Alfortville, Épinay-sur-Seine) and, for the second consecutive year, to the Fort de Tourneville in Le Havre with a dedicated route (visual arts, sound art, digital art, drag performances, concerts).
A Mobile Artwork: « On s'aime »
Barbara Butch designed « On s'aime », a participatory video artwork broadcast on LED trucks circulating in Paris throughout the night to spread declarations of love and messages collected from the public since April 2026.
Enhanced Accessibility
In partnership with the association Accès Culture, dedicated tours are organized for visually impaired audiences, in French Sign Language (LSF) for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, and for audiences with mental disabilities. Mediators are present at the artworks, and the majority of installations have free access.
Programme Nuit Blanche 2026
The official program brings together more than 200 free events spread across the 20 arrondissements of Paris, the Greater Paris metropolis, and Le Havre. The night is organized around three highlights featuring works commissioned from Barbara Butch, Mathias Kiss, and VJ Milosh, complemented by installations and performances in museums, churches, train stations, gymnasiums, gardens, and unusual venues.
Highlights — Commissioned Works
- 5:30 PM → 3:00 AM — Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville (4th arr.) — Barbara Butch's DJ set, open, joyful, and inclusive, with surprise guests. Opening acts: Swedish Fit fitness class, Majors Girls majorette performance, and immersive mapping Pulsar by ALT SHIFT × V.P.M.
- 7:00 PM → 1:00 AM — Petit Palais (8th arr.) — Liquid Mirror by Mathias Kiss: an installation blending mirrors and wooden structure, creating moving and fragmented optical effects.
- 7:00 PM → 2:00 AM — Grand Palais (8th arr.) — Grand Cœur by VJ Milosh (Milosh Łuczyński): a monumental inflatable sculpture in the shape of a luminous red heart, with the word « peur » (fear) at its base.
- All night long — Itinerant LED trucks in Paris — On s'aime by Barbara Butch: mobile video artwork broadcasting declarations and messages of love collected from the public.
Central Paris — 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th arrondissements
- 1st — Tuileries Tunnel (light installation) · Square Michel-Caldaguès (ephemeral museum) · Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois Church (Agathe Roger's silk river) · Saint-Eustache Church (concert and installation) · Drawing Lab (collaborative exhibition A Window Against Time) · Fondation Cartier (free night opening, 40-year retrospective) · 59 Rivoli (live painting, concerts, performances) · Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection (mist sculpture and exhibitions) · Nelson-Mandela Garden / Les Halles (immersive kinetic installation) · La Conciergerie (literary and musical gathering).
- 3rd — Paris Centre Town Hall Forecourt (Hello World light installation) · Saint-Denys du Saint-Sacrement Church · Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation · Museum of Hunting and Nature · Museum of Art and History of Judaism · Museum of Arts and Crafts (free entry) · Swedish Institute (sound sculpture) · National Archives Garden (interactive marine installation) · MAIF Social Club (immersive marine experience) · Carreau du Temple (Yellow Party, dance and DJ set) · Picasso Museum (free night opening).
- 4th — Notre-Dame des Blancs-Manteaux Church (female vocal concert) · Serbian Cultural Center (narrative video game playtest + musical improv) · Saint-Louis-en-l'Île Church (music and dance) · Forney Library · Joseph-Migneret Rose Garden (Carpet Museum of Iran video installation) · Halle des Blancs-Manteaux · IRCAM (light and sound installation) · Shoah Memorial (participatory performance) · Reflet Machine (exhibition in historical ruins) · Cité internationale des arts · Wallonia-Brussels Centre (cultural festival and electro live) · Climate Academy (immersive video installation).
- 5th — Saint-Séverin Church (sound laboratory in a Gothic setting) · Grand Mosque of Paris (artwork and garden stroll) · Césure (former Censier-Daubenton campus, hybrid space).
- 6th — André-Malraux Library (surrealist workshop inspired by Leonora Carrington) · Saint-Germain Gymnasium (immersive installation and performance) · Institut de France (classical concert) · Czech Centre (pop-up art and cinema).
Right Bank — 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th arrondissements
- 8th — Visionnaire (L'Oréal headquarters, music celebrating love) · Europa Experience (DJ sets and short films) · Hôtel de la Marine (concert blending tradition and modernity) · Expiatory Chapel (light installation) · Korean Cultural Centre · Canadian Cultural Centre (free photo exhibition).
- 9th — 9th Arrondissement Town Hall — Big Fat Diamond, monumental installation (Slovak Institute partnership).
- 10th — Gare de l'Est (tactile sensory journey) · Gare du Nord Forecourt (multiverse immersion) · Saint-Laurent Church (public wishes transformed into a sound installation by Marie-Luce Nadal) · Château-Landon Swimming Pool (Annette Messager's Sirénocturne) · Françoise-Sagan Media Library (immersive performance on water) · Transfo – Emmaüs Solidarité (performance inspired by life stories).
- 11th — Notre-Dame d'Espérance Church (large ephemeral choir) · Japy Gymnasium (dreamlike light installations) · Voltaire Consulate (dance and digital art).
Southern Paris — 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th arrondissements
- 12th — Ground Control (free dance) · Holy Spirit Church (immersive concert).
- 13th — Mobilier national (ORA plant and sound installation) · Saint-Louis de la Salpêtrière Chapel (special program, rarely open venue).
- 14th — Daguerre Workshops (installation and DJ set) · Montsouris Farm (aerial and acrobatic performance in a historic farm).
- 15th — La Poste Museum (contemporary dreamlike installation).
- 16th — Polish Institute · Guimet Museum (musical night and Korean performances) · Louis Vuitton Foundation (free love and poetry program).
Northern Paris — 18th, 19th, 20th arrondissements
- 18th — 18th Arrondissement Town Hall (family artistic route) · Jardin des Traverses (video game, nature, and digital universe) · Le BAL — Fabrique du Regard (live performance and DJ set) · Institute of Islamic Cultures (DJ sets and African football).
- 19th — Éric-Tabarly Promenade (Against the Current, floating boat installation by Mr. & Mr.) · Jean-Jaurès Gymnasium (dreamlike artistic whirlwind) · Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad (monumental light installation of Italian inspiration).
- 20th — Villa Belleville (meeting with resident artists) · Tenon Hospital Chapel (free immersive installation).
Greater Paris Metropolis & Île-de-France
- Saint-Denis (93) — 6b: participatory banquet and festive brass band.
- Rueil-Malmaison (92) — Parc des Bords-de-Seine: music, workshops, and pop art exhibitions around love.
- Épinay-sur-Seine (93) — L'Abominable: film screenings at the analog film laboratory.
- Alfortville, Montreuil, Pantin, Aubervilliers — complementary metropolitan routes.
Le Havre (76)
- Fort de Tourneville — 2nd year of the Le Havre route: 8 artists, visual arts, sound art, digital art, drag performances, and concerts.
Full program, interactive map, and Paris Ma Ville app on paris.fr/nuit-blanche-2026. Paper guides available at Paris La Boutique (29 rue de Rivoli, 75004) from May 18, 2026.
Highlights Nuit Blanche 2026
- 25th anniversary of Nuit Blanche
- Artistic direction: Barbara Butch (with Marie Gautier)
- Theme: Love, a collective and political celebration
- Poster signed by Pierre et Gilles
- Over 200 free artistic events
- 80% emerging artists, strict gender parity
- 3 flagship artworks: Liquid Mirror (Mathias Kiss, Petit Palais), Grand Cœur (VJ Milosh, Grand Palais), Barbara Butch DJ set (Hôtel de Ville Forecourt)
- Mobile artwork On s'aime broadcast on LED trucks in Paris
- Route extended to the Greater Paris metropolis and Le Havre (Fort de Tourneville)
- From 6 PM to 5 AM, free and open to all
- Enhanced accessibility (LSF, visual impairment, mental disability — Accès Culture partnership)
Prices Nuit Blanche 2026
Practical information — Nuit Blanche
Practical Information
Principle
Nuit Blanche is a free event open to all, taking place over an entire night in numerous locations in Paris and Île-de-France.
Date and Times
Night of Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
Access
Installations and events are spread throughout the city. The complete program and interactive map of the trails are available on the City of Paris website and the dedicated app. Public transport runs all night (metro, RER, Noctilien buses).
Prices
Free admission for all events.
Contact
Mairie de Paris — Direction des Affaires Culturelles
Website: www.paris.fr/nuit-blanche
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Where does it take place — Nuit Blanche
Divers lieux à Paris et en Île-de-France