Have you ever spent New Year's Eve in Paris? I live here so I do it every year and I tell you... it's lit! You've probably seen how we welcome the new year in Paris on TV. Know that the holiday truly is as lively, bright, loud, and exciting as you see it on TV! No matter how often I've experienced it, I always get goosebumps seeing the fireworks go off behind the Arc de Triomphe! And that's just one way to celebrate New Year's Eve in Paris. For others, I suggest going to the Eiffel Tower too, dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, seeing a cabaret show, or hosting a soirée at home.
There's no better place to spend New Year's Eve than in Paris! The French capital has a lot in store for the year-end holiday, from street parties and river cruises to lavish cabaret shows and solemn church concerts.
Party Along The Champs-Élysées
You probably don't need me to tell you that the Champs-Élysées is the place to be for anyone celebrating New Year's Eve in Paris. This famous thoroughfare in the 8th arrondissement hosts the most bangin' year-end party in the French capital, bar none! I've welcomed the new year here countless times (and I'm planning to go this year too!) and it never gets old. It does, however, get extremely crowded. So if you tend to feel claustrophobic, going to the Champs-Élysées might not be for you. Fortunately, you can still see the iconic fireworks display by the Arc de Triomphe on TV!See The Eiffel Tower Sparkle
Contrary to popular belief, the Eiffel Tower doesn't put on a fireworks display on New Year's Eve. That's only during Bastille Day. Nevertheless, I've spent the holiday here a couple of times and it's a nice contrast to the huge street party at the Champs-Élysées. Don't worry! It's not as if it's a ghost town here every December 31st. The iconic tower still lights up and even shows off a myriad of bright colors that could put any fireworks display to shame. Also, you can hang out with friends on Champ de Mars and have your own picnic party here.Go on a New Year's Eve Cruise
Instead of welcoming the new year with your special someone at a romantic cafe in Paris, why not go on a cruise down the Seine River instead? I remember I invited my American girlfriend to one a couple of years ago and she loved it. We're also still together so I can confidently say that it worked! The best thing about going on a river cruise when spending New Year's Eve in Paris is you can see many of the city's famous landmarks all lit up for the holiday. It's also a peaceful alternative to all the parties and other festivities.Indulge in a Fancy Dinner
Need another date suggestion for New Year's Eve? Take your partner out on a fancy dinner. In my opinion, part of what makes Paris the “food capital” of the world is that its restaurants know how to accommodate guests for any occasion, especially the holidays. Some of the city's finest hotspots stay open late for New Year's Eve, serving up the most delicious feasts to help you start the new year right. La Petite Chaise on Rue de Grenelle is one and it's also perfect for when you're craving traditional French cuisine for the holiday.Watch a Cabaret Show
“Welcome to The Moulin Rouge!” While Missy Elliot won't exactly welcome you to this world-famous crimson-colored cabaret in the 18th arrondissement as she did in the iconic “Lady Marmalade” music video, you can still experience the same extravaganza on New Year's Eve here. I've only done it once and it was spectacular! Their holiday dinner show is wild, colorful, glamorous, and fun. It's a great way to forget all the troubles of the past year and welcome the new one with new spirits. They'll also have you dancing the night away too!Dance The Night Away
Speaking of dancing the night away, you can also go to the hottest clubs in Paris to attend the best year-end raves in town. Don't underestimate the French, especially us Parisians, when it comes to partying. We can go at it all night long, never giving a fu** about how drunk we are or if we already smell. But don't let that stop you from partying with us this New Year's Eve. Clubs like Angie Paris, Bridge Paris, Red Light, and New Morning always put on the best parties! I can't wait to go to any of them myself this December 31st!Check Out a Church Concert
You know, I'm already at a certain age that partying doesn't always excite me as much as it did when I was younger. I know I just said I plan to go to a club this New Year's Eve, but that's only because the recent pandemic had me celebrating the holiday at home. Even before that, I was already slowing down on my partying during the holidays. Last year, for example, I went to La Sainte-Chapelle for their New Year's Eve concert and it seriously took my breath away. I almost considered going back to church and I'm not even religious. There's something about going to these musical events that will change you!Host a Soirée at Home
When all else fails, host a soirée at home this New Year's Eve. You could already guess that that's what we did in the past few years and it's honestly fun. And since Covid restrictions have long been lifted, you can already go above and beyond with your New Year's Eve house party. I was able to host some pretty fun soirées myself despite how small my luxury apartment in Paris is. All I did was decorate the place, put on some good music, serve a few tasty hors d'oeuvres (that's more my girlfriend), and planned a couple of fun games. There's nothing to it!There's no better place to spend New Year's Eve than in Paris! The French capital has a lot in store for the year-end holiday, from street parties and river cruises to lavish cabaret shows and solemn church concerts.
