Paris is gearing up for its 24th edition of Nuit Blanche on Saturday, June 7, 2025. This year, the celebrated contemporary art event, co-organized with La Métropole du Grand Paris, will embrace a cinematic theme, promising to turn the French capital into an “immense film set.” Valérie Donzelli, the acclaimed director of ‘La Reine des pommes’ and ‘La guerre est déclarée,’ has been appointed as the artistic director for this edition.
A City Transformed into a Cinematic Canvas
The core of Nuit Blanche 2025 will involve numerous projections across Paris, transforming public spaces into ephemeral projection screens. The City of Paris announced that cinematic works will be showcased in various outdoor locations, including the Saint-Paul 9 gardens sports ground (Paris Centre), Quai de Valmy (10th arrondissement), and the Ferdinand-Brunot (14th), Nathalie-Sarraute (18th), and Place des Fêtes (19th) squares.
Specific highlights include the cinema “Les 7 Parnassiens” in the 14th arrondissement, which will feature video works by artists such as Anne-Charlotte Finel, Clément Cogitore, and Alice Brygo, all exploring the theme of resistance. Meanwhile, Île-Saint-Louis will host projects by Céline Bozon in Square Barye and Place Aragon, and Adrien Lamm, also in Square Barye.
Michel Gondry’s Special Contribution
A significant attraction will be a 10-minute film created by the renowned director Michel Gondry, known for ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.’ This animated stop-motion film, titled “Quelle Nuit Blanche!” (What a White Night!), will be projected in the 15th arrondissement at Place Raoul-Dautry. Gondry is also the artist behind the official poster for this year’s Nuit Blanche.
Carine Rolland, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of culture, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This vibrant program gives us a magnificent opportunity to celebrate 130 years of cinema and its ever-renewed history with Paris.”
Beyond Cinema: Catacombs and Other Artistic Explorations
While cinema takes center stage, Nuit Blanche 2025 will also offer a diverse range of contemporary art experiences. For the first time, the event will venture into the Catacombs of Paris, presenting a unique sound and visual journey. Other planned installations include a sound and light experience in the Sorbonne Chapel (5th arrondissement), a DJ set at the La Bidassoa gymnasium (20th arrondissement), and various projections and performances at the Petit Palais (8th arrondissement).
Associated programming will also be available at the Cognacq-Jay Museum, Victor Hugo’s House, and the Fondation EDF, ensuring a comprehensive artistic offering. Several municipalities within the Métropole du Grand Paris will also participate, continuing a tradition that began in 2019.
The Shift to June: A Response to Public Demand
Since 2023, Nuit Blanche has been held in June, a change initiated after a public consultation. Parisians and Métropolitains overwhelmingly voted to move the event from October to June, seeking more favorable weather conditions for nighttime strolls and outdoor installations. This decision followed the 2021 edition, which was hampered by rain and wind, prompting the call for a new date. The first weekend of June was unanimously chosen, ensuring a more pleasant experience for attendees.
Practical Information
Nuit Blanche 2025 will run from 7 PM to 2 AM on Saturday, June 7, 2025. All events are free of charge and will take place at various locations across Paris. For detailed program information, visitors can refer to the official website: www.paris.fr/nuitblanche.
This year’s Nuit Blanche promises an unforgettable night where film and contemporary art converge, inviting residents and tourists alike to experience Paris in a new, dreamlike light.
Source: Le Parisien Etudiant
