France: White Picnic of Versailles on Bastille Day

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From 2000 until 2014, on Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful Déjeuner sur l'Herbe was organized in the park of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people came together with their picnic baskets and hyad a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it was known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic (pique-nique en blanc), since white was the dress code. Many people enjoyed to dress up for the occasion and there even was a prize for the most elegant costume!

Bastille Day in Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11027] Bastille Day (french: La Fête Nationale), the 14th of July, as it is celebrated in the Gardens of Versailles during the "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe." In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles, where thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets to have a festive meal on the banks of the famous Grand Canal. The dress code is: all in white. After the meal, of course, you dance, since it is the day of national celebration. Photo Paul Smit.
Bastille Day in Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11026] Bastille Day (french: La Fête Nationale), the 14th of July, as it is celebrated in the Gardens of Versailles during the "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe." In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles, where thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets to have a festive meal on the banks of the famous Grand Canal. The dress code is: all in white. After the meal, of course, you dance, since it is the day of national celebration. Photo Paul Smit.
Bastille Day in Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11030] Bastille Day (french: La Fête Nationale), the 14th of July, as it is celebrated in the Gardens of Versailles during the "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe." In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles, where thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets to have a festive meal on the banks of the famous Grand Canal. The dress code is: all in white. After the meal, of course, you dance, since it is the day of national celebration. Photo Paul Smit.
White Picnic of Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11034] On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion and some look at impressionist paintings like the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Renoir for inspiration. However, the lady with the hat goes even further back in time and reminds us of the days of Marie-Antoinette. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11033] 'White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion and some look at impressionist paintings like the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Renoir for inspiration. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11036] At the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many families are among them and the atmosphere is very joyful and relaxed. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11038] 'Children at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11040] 'Dancing at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. This couple spontaneously started dancing at music coming from the other side of the canal. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11042] White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11045] Elisabeth of Les Délices de Mimine.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. There is a little market of local products, where the good humoured Elisabeth can be found, with her homemade jams and chutneys. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11046] 'Sophie Morel at the White Picnic in Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion. Sophie Morel (left) simply loves such events. Since she was 9 she designs period costumes. In 2007 she created Dauphin-Dauphine, a group of about 20 children, that play music or theatre at historical sites - mostly french châteaux - dressed in her costumes. But to the white picnic they came just for fun. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11050] 'White dog at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion and even the dogs are white. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11053] 'Girl at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion, like this girl. I guess she is bored and would rather run and play rough, as her knees tell us, then sit still and not spoil the dress (dress by Sophie Morel from Dauphin-Dauphine). Photo Paul Smit.

Bastille Day in Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11028] Bastille Day (french: La Fête Nationale), the 14th of July, as it is celebrated in the Gardens of Versailles during the "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe." In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles, where thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets to have a festive meal on the banks of the famous Grand Canal. The dress code is: all in white. After the meal, of course, you dance, since it is the day of national celebration. Photo Paul Smit.
Bastille Day in Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11029] Bastille Day (french: La Fête Nationale), the 14th of July, as it is celebrated in the Gardens of Versailles during the "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe." In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles, where thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets to have a festive meal on the banks of the famous Grand Canal. The dress code is: all in white. After the meal, of course, you dance, since it is the day of national celebration. Photo Paul Smit.
Teenagers at the White Picnic in Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11031] On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion and some look at impressionist paintings like the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Renoir for inspiration (costumes by Sophie Morel from Dauphin-Dauphine). Photo Paul Smit.
White Picnic of Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11032] On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion and some look at impressionist paintings like the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Renoir for inspiration. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11035] 'Girls at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11037] 'At the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many families are among them and the atmosphere is very joyful and relaxed. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11039] 'Dancing at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. This couple spontaneously started dancing at music coming from the other side of the canal. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11041] 'White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic bags and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11044] Elisabeth of Les Délices de Mimine.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. There is a little market of local products, where the good humoured Elisabeth can be found, with her homemade jams and chutneys. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11043] 'White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic bags and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11049] 'Girl at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11051] 'Girls at the White Picnic of Versailles.' On Bastille Day, the 14th of July, a wonderful "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe" is organized in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Thousands of people come together with their picnic baskets and have a festive meal on the banks of the Grand Canal. In English it is known as the Picnic of Versailles or the White Picnic ("pique-nique en blanc"), since white is the dress code. Many people enjoy to dress up for the occasion (costumes by Sophie Morel from Dauphin-Dauphine). Photo Paul Smit.