The secret picnic that everyone’s talking about

The location of the event is kept secret until the day of the picnic itself, so guests won’t have a clue where they’re headed until the last minute, which adds to the event’s mystery and allure. Photos: Le Dinner en Blanc

The history of the elegant Le Diner en Blanc event can be traced to 1988 Paris, when Frenchman François Pasquier wanted to reconnect with his friends – but couldn’t host them all in his small garden. So he had a picnic in a local park; he asked his guests to each bring someone else, and requested that everyone dress in white so they could easily recognise members of the party.

That initial outdoor get-together grew to such an extent that Le Diner en Blanc is now an eagerly-anticipated annual event in 70 cities and 25 countries around the world.