In 1966, author and socialite Truman Capote organized the most iconic ball of the decade. There were 450 guests – artists, actors and actresses, European aristocrats, American politicians, debutantes, it girls.
It was at the Plaza, in the grand ballroom, and the dress code was black and white. Guests ate spaghetti and drank hundreds of bottles of Taittinger champagne.
It was the place to be. In her article for Vogue, iconic journalist Gloria Steinem said; “Before the party began, it had already gotten off the ground.”
Even today, people are still trying to recreate the kind of parties – with the aura of inclusive exclusivity of big society events like debutante balls and surreal Rotschild balls – that bring together and fan the creative flames of the world’s coolest big cities.
In September, the Dîner en Blanc – which recreates this kind of soirée with a degree of success – returns to Montreal. Everyone’s in white, there’s as much (if not more) champagne as at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball , and it’s held in a secret location. For a corporate event that all the artists talk about for years, it’s important to have a slightly mysterious aura…
Le Dîner en Blanc
Le Dîner en Blanc ‘s vocation is to be more than an event, to be – like the great artists’ and aristocrats’ balls – a cultural movement and community builder around the French joie de vivre .
The event isn’t new, and it didn’t originate in Montreal. The first dîner en blanc was a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne – where everyone had to wear white to be recognized– on the outskirts of Paris, organized by a reserve officer returning from a holiday in Polynesia.
Since then, once a year, the Dîner en Blanc has been organized and, until the last minute, the venue is kept secret – it’s always a historic, public place. There are Dîner en Blanc events in Paris, New York, Mexico City, Ho Chi Minh City, Miami… Montreal’s first Dîner en Blanc was held in 2009, inaugurated by the founder’s son.
In white in Montreal
September 5 marks the 15th edition of the Dîner en Blanc in Montreal , and the theme is Élégance en Fleur.
The dress code, of course, is to be dressed in white, and for the flowers, anyone can add their own personal touch. Attention it girls, we’ve got 6 weeks to come up with an outfit that will be photographed…
Practical info
The Dîner en Blanc is more of a picnic, and depending on the ticket you buy, you either get a seat or can bring a folding table, a canvas chair and a (white) picnic blanket.
Even if we buy our tickets now, the location of the Dinner remains a secret until the last moment – a gathering point is given, and all guests meet there and walk to the dinner location.
Then, once everyone’s settled, white napkins are waved in the air, and we eat, drink gallons of champagne, dance the night away…
Where? Montreal – location withheld
When? September 5, 2025
How? To attend the dinner, register on the guest list ( membership fee: $14.00 per person) and purchase tickets;
Tickets are sold in pairs (2 people per table).
mode of transport :
– Pedestrians (bring your own table and chairs): $48.00 per person
– Pedestrian (table and chairs included): $65.00 per person
– Bus (bring your own table and chairs): $75.00 per person
Happy Dîner en Blanc!