“The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way.” – Unknown
In 2011, we embarked on what we considered a “once in a lifetime” adventure—a month-long vacation in Paris. Though this article isn’t a detailed recounting of that trip, it is a reflection on one unforgettable evening in the City of Lights that set the tone for our entire journey.
At that time, Airbnb hadn’t yet become the go-to for travelers, but we managed to find a quaint - and cheap - little studio in Saint Germain des Prés by booking directly with the owner. The studio was really tiny, yet its charm lay in the perfect location near sights of interest to us, and just steps away from the local bakery where fresh baguettes and pain au chocolat awaited us every morning. Twice a week, the street transformed into a vibrant fruit market, with stalls overflowing with fresh produce that added a burst of color and life to our surroundings.
But let’s focus on that first evening in Paris….
Before diving into the experience, I should mention that traveling with Florin, my partner and a talented visual artist, always meant a backpack weighed down with lenses, cameras, tripods, and other essential gear. Our trips were never just vacations—they were opportunities to capture the world through his lens, and this trip was to be no exception.
As we set out to explore the city, we didn’t realize that we were about to stumble upon something quite unique — a celebration of friendship, culture and community known as the Dîner en Blanc.
Since it was our very first day in Paris, I made a simple request to Florin: leave the camera at home and let’s spend the evening absorbing the beauty of the city without any distractions. Much to my surprise, he agreed—and here is what followed:
We strolled along the Seine, enchanted by the architecture, the gentle flow of the river, the elegance of the bridges, and the linden trees in full bloom. The air was filled with the hum of voices speaking in countless languages, the soft hues of the evening sky, and the delicate perfume of the city, all coming together in a vivid mosaic of images and sensations.
Hand in hand, we wandered without a destination, captivated and overwhelmed by the beauty around us. It was then we finally understood the enchantment of this magnificent metropolis, the very magic that has been immortalized by artists throughout the ages.
As we continued our journey, we found ourselves on Île de la Cité, standing before the majestic Notre Dame. The iconic Gothic cathedral loomed above us, a monument to centuries of French history and a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris.
To our amazement, the square in front of the cathedral was eerily empty, yet surrounding it were thousands of people, all dressed head to toe in white. We initially thought we had stumbled onto a film set but felt too shy to ask anyone.
There was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air, as if everyone was waiting for something extraordinary to happen. And indeed, as the clock struck 10 p.m., the square came to life. People began setting up picnic tables adorned with pristine white tablecloths, white napkins, quaint white flowers, silver candlesticks, and flickering candles. It was as if we had walked into a carefully choreographed scene—a symphony in white.
At some prearranged signal, everyone raised their napkins in unison, a wave of white that marked the beginning of the meal. We watched in awe, still unsure of what we were witnessing. It was beautiful, a bit surreal, and frankly, to me, utterly French. We chalked it up to one of those delightful peculiarities of Parisian life, and let ourselves be swept up in the magic of the moment.
Now, why share this story? Because, all these years later, Florin still reminds me of that one special night when he left his camera behind, unable to capture a truly unique memory. And you know, he’s right. So, I decided that in our beautiful town of St. Marys, we would host our own gathering in white each year—a way to recapture a bit of that magical evening in Paris from thirteen years ago. And when better to start than this year, with a small group of friends?
Of course, planning an outdoor event comes with its challenges, especially when it involves the whims of nature. For the past two weeks, I had been obsessively monitoring the weather, hoping that our chosen date wouldn’t be marred by the heavy clouds and rain that seemed determined to dampen our spirits. While the rain was certainly a blessing for flowers, plants, and trees, it wasn’t exactly welcome for our evening plans.
Enter Florin—visual artist, occasional weatherman, and eternal optimist—who confidently assured me that the rain would stop by 7 p.m., just in time for our garden gathering. All day, the skies teased us with a relentless dance of rain and drizzle. In St. Marys, it rained, then paused, then rained again. Over in Stratford, it poured. Some guests understandably bowed out, unsure if the weather would cooperate.
But by 7:30 p.m., though the skies hadn’t completely cleared, they were smiling down on us, and one by one, guests began to arrive. What followed was a beautiful evening filled with friends, both new and familiar, who came together to share laughter, stories, and a delicious meal under the open sky.
We made memories that night—memories that, this time, were captured not just in our hearts, but also in photographs, ensuring that this Dîner en Blanc with friends would be remembered for years to come.
Credits:
Photos @ArtofIdeasGallery
Blog featured image: the article was published in St.Marys Independent newspaper, Thursday August 29th 2024.
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