9 Things To Do In France For New Year

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1. Enjoy the Réveillon dinner

Traditional French New Year’s celebrations start on the evening of December 31st. Le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre is the name of the feast that is held in celebration of this holiday.

Pancakes, foie gras, and champagne are some of the typical items that will be served at the feast.

According to a long-standing custom in France, eating at this festive meal is said to offer people who take part in it health, wealth, and happiness in the years to come.

These dinners are often intimate and celebrated by families and groups of friends, plus invited guests.

However, you haven’t received an invitation to a celebratory dinner for the New Year’s Eve, you can still partake in delectable delicacies such as oysters, smoked salmon, or foie gras.

The menus at most restaurants are changed up in some way. Be sure to shop around to avoid being taken advantage of and reserve your reservation in plenty of time in advance to guarantee a place.

2. Party like a local

At Home

A celebration at one’s house to ring in the new year is common practice in many nations, and this is called Des soirées déguisées, or costume parties, in France. Or, just dress appropriately for the event in question, or “put on their 31s” as the locals would say.

You can anticipate that there will be dancing and music, and there may even be a public declaration of certain resolutions.

Nevertheless, the one thing that cannot be called into question is the availability of copious amounts of food.

In The Streets

There are two ways to spend a night out on La Saint-Sylvestre if you are not attending or throwing a house party.

You can either pay exorbitant prices to get into a club, or you can join the thousands of other people having a free party in the city streets.

At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and at the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre are the three most popular spots in Paris for a New Year’s eve party.

3. Celebrate at the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre

Montmartre’s Sacré Coeur Piazza is another popular, much more subdued, location to say goodbye to the old year.

Assuming there is no cloud cover, the view from the knoll’s peak extends far beyond Paris. The street celebration in Montmartre is less frenetic than on the Champs-Elysées, but it is still rather crowded.

Montmartre and neighboring Pigalle have a thriving nightlife scene with numerous bars, cabarets, and clubs.

The parties here could be just the thing for those looking for an alternative New Year’s Eve experience in Paris, without having to brave the crowds.

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4. Drink Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Champagne and sparkling wine, which should not be mistaken with one another, are both popular drinks in the capital of France on the night before the New Year’s celebrations begin.

Whether you choose to drink authentic champagne (which originates from the same-named region in France), or a sparkling white wine of exceptional quality, such as Crémant de Loire or Crémant de Bourgogne, (from wine region of Burgundy), a joyous mood is certain to ensue.

Other popular beverages in France include vin chaud, sometimes known as hot wine, and alcoholic cider from the region of Brittany.

You can also celebrate with beverages that do not contain alcohol, such as fruit juice, soda, or sparkling non-alcoholic cider.

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5. Kiss Under the Mistletoe

The Druid Celts believed that the magical powers of mistletoe brought good luck and warded off evil spirits.

As a result of this belief, the French have a tradition known as “S’embrasser Sous le Gui,” which translates to “kissing under the mistletoe.” You are probably already familiar with this custom.

However, New Year’s rather than Christmas is the traditional occasion for exchanging kisses beneath the mistletoe, in contrast to many Anglo-Saxon traditions.

The word for mistletoe in French is “gui,” and it is pronounced with a hard “G” like in the word “guide.” Additionally, the word “gui” rhymes with the word “key.”

6. Firework Display in Paris on New Year’s Eve

As one of Paris’s most famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower is an absolute must-see for any visitor. It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without a spectacular fireworks show to round off the evening and welcome in the new year in style.

As a French New Year’s custom, couples can also welcome 2023 with a kiss under the Eiffel Tower.

Everyone is welcome to attend this year’s free fireworks display at the Arc de Triomphe. There will be a fireworks show lasting 5 to 6 minutes and an electronic music event lasting 1.30 to 2 hours.

Feel free to bring some bubbly to help usher in the new year with a toast.

7. Attend Midnight mass

Attending the Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral, should be a priority for any devout traveler who is planning a trip to the city.

The cathedral holds a is a mass on the eve of the New Year in Paris each year. This gothic monumental structure is one of the most visited locations in Paris and one of the most photographed locations in Paris.

Many devout Catholics look forward to the most exquisite event of the year.

Even if you are not religious, this top tourist attraction is a great location to stop and spend some quiet time to reflect on the old year and hope for the best for the new one.

8. Witness La Grande Parade, Deauville, Normandy

Another of the best places to celebrate the new year’s eve in France 2023 is at La Grande Parade. If you want to welcome in the new year with. More than parties and fireworks, Normandy offers a feast for the senses.

Watch performers in the realms of dance, singing, and acrobatics, as well as musicians, as they join forces to stage an opera that takes its cues from the city’s seductive ambiance.

This event features dancing angels, flying motorcycles, confetti, balloons, pyrotechnics, and a magnificent 20-minute aerial finale that is sure to make the last day of the year one that is not easily forgotten.

The show will begin promptly at 5:30 and will go on till 6:45.

9. Enjoy a New Year’s bath on the Côte d’Azur

Antibes locals have been keeping the New Year’s bath custom alive for the past two decades. The annual New Year’s bath is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Salis Beach. The locals find that taking a bath on New Year’s Day is a relaxing way to recover from the revelry of New Year’s Eve and get a head start on the new year.

Water temperatures in the winter rarely rise beyond 15 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s best to get nice and toasty before diving in.

The organizers, the Day One association of Antibes, and the support of the public makes this event a must-experience every year.

Have a hot cup of coffee or tea and filling breakfast to warm up before the event starts. The water may be too cold even if there will be hundreds jumping into the water as soon as the gun is fired.

Afterwards, enjoy the jazz concert and fireworks show throughout the day.

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Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.