Nuit Blanche

"Love Differences" on Hotel de Ville

 There is always something happening in Paris. Every weekend, there is
something cool to see. Whether it be a moving electro-parade dance party,
Fashion Week, or a wine festival (which we are checking out in Montmartre
tomorrow), there is never nothing to do here.

Last weekend it was Nuit Blanche, an all night art installation that happens on
the first weekend in October every year.  Museums, churches and historic
buildings are transformed into light inspired art works. The metro stayed up late
(it usually closes at 1am which is such a pain...more on that later) and
transported people between three main centers of Paris.

I went with a group of fellow international students and a few tag-alongs. It was
our first proper outing in Paris as a new and scared bunch of foreigners, so
everyone was a little awkward to begin with. The combination of new friends, no
common language, huge crowds and little knowledge of Paris, meant that all
itineraries were quickly abandoned to share a few bottles of wine on Pont des
Arts. However, 2am was apparently the perfect time see Notre Dame (I was told
by 3am the line was as long as it was at 9:30pm when we tried to see it first).

Notre Dame

It was an incredible ethereal sight. I felt so lucky to see and experience a place
of worship that is hundreds of years old, transformed into an expression of art.

Hotel Dieu

The second place we made it to was Hotel Dieu, just near Notre Dame. There
were some cool fairy lights strung up over the courtyard, which made for a nice
rest stop at 3am.

Despite the fact that we only saw 3 installations out of about 300, it was a
beautiful night to be Parisian.