How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve Like the French
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The French know how to do just about everything in style—including New Year’s Eve, or as they call it, Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. December 31st may mark the feast day of Saint Sylvester, but for most, the focus is welcoming the new year with friends and family. From champagne and caviar to parties and parades, there are so many New Year’s traditions that make the holiday a little different in France. In this post, I’m giving you all the details on how to celebrate the New Year like the French. Whether you’re ringing in 2025 in Paris, hosting your own French-inspired soirée or just want to know more about French New Year’s traditions, you’ll find everything here.
Photo: Moët & Chandon
French New Year’s Traditions
1. New Year’s Cards
In France, the holiday card tradition is a bit different than in the U.S. Instead of Christmas cards, the French send les cartes de voeux (greeting cards) for New Year’s—on January 1st or even later in the month. And while many now send their greetings via text, the sentiment remains deeply traditional. Once the new year arrives, many people pull out their phones, sending messages to just about anyone they know, wishing them a bonne année (Happy New Year).
If you missed sending Christmas cards, try out this French tradition of sending New Year’s cards instead. This Holiday in Paris card set from Anthropologie is such a chic option. I also love these candy striped notecards from Papier that still feel festive, but not too Christmas-y.
2. Etrennes
In France, it’s common to give les étrennes (New Year’s gifts) at the start of the new year. It’s a small way to show appreciation to those who make life a little easier throughout the year, like postal workers, doormen, firemen, teachers and household cleaners. Sometimes these gifts are given to family members and children too, and traditionally include an envelope of money or small gifts.
Firefighters, garbage men, and postal workers even go door-to-door selling calendars in exchange for les étrennes. Although post-Covid, I haven’t had anyone knock on my door here in Strasbourg.
As in the U.S., there's always the question of how much to give. Proper gift-giving etiquette suggests anywhere from €5 to €100, depending on your relationship with the recipient. But ultimately, though, the amount is entirely up to you.
3. Le Réveillon
Many French people welcome the new year with le réveillon, a festive dinner shared with friends and family. This lavish meal is quite similar to the one shared at Christmas (in fact, the name is the same) and typically includes gourmet dishes like foie gras, oysters, goose, and even caviar—often ending with an indulgent bûche de Noël.
It wouldn’t be a French meal without wine, and for New Year’s Eve, champagne is an obvious option. Many French people pop a bottle before the clock strikes midnight to enjoy with these traditional French New Year’s foods.
Not every meal is as extravagant though, especially amongst younger people. When I’ve spent New Year’s Eve in France, my French friends and I either kept it low-key with a potluck-style meal or skipped the big dinner altogether and gathered just in time for midnight and champagne.
Hosting your own French-inspired feast for New Year’s? Pick up some festive favorites like foie gras, caviar or smoked salmon to start the meal. For the main course, duck or turkey are classic choices that you can pair with French dishes like gratin dauphinois, roasted winter vegetables, or la purée (mashed potatoes). Follow it up with a cheese platter and fresh salad to round out the meal.
For dessert, you can try your hand at a bûche de Noël, but a simpler option might be to buy something already made—as most French people do for their holiday desserts. These festive macarons from Ladurée are a truly luxe treat (and would make the perfect French gift, too). For a more budget-friendly option, these holiday macarons from Target will also do the trick!
And of course, pair everything with a bottle of French champagne or crémant—more tips on that below.
Read More: How to Host a French-Inspired Dinner Party
4. Presidential Address
Each year on December 31st, the French President delivers a speech to the nation from the Palais de l'Élysée, where he reflects on the past year and speaks about his hopes and wishes (les vœux) for the future. Many French people tune in to watch this presidential address on TV, even if it’s just want to râler (complain) about the French Head of State or the current state of affairs.
If you’re in France for the New Year, you can catch the speech live on TV or stream it online on the President’s YouTube channel.
5. New Year’s Parties
Much like in the U.S., French New Year’s celebrations can range from intimate dinners with loved ones to large dance parties. Costume parties and masked balls (like the one at Château de Versailles) are also popular traditions for New Year’s in France with music, dancing, and celebration going on well into the night.
If you’re in Paris for New Year’s, you’ll have no hard time finding something to do—the city hosts so many parties for the occasion. Here in Strasbourg and other smaller cities, there are also plenty of events, although most years I attend parties at the homes of friends.
No matter how you choose to ring in the new year, one thing’s for sure: in France, New Year’s is more about friends and significant others. It’s far more common for young French people to celebrate out and about than at home with family.
6. Champagne
No New Year’s celebration in France is complete without champagne. As midnight nears, the French pour glasses of bubbly to toast to the year ahead—just like many of us do outside of France.
While there are a lot of “champagnes” available in the U.S., most of it’s actually just sparkling wine. No judgment if you drink them—they’re usually quite affordable and in my opinion, don’t taste too bad (although my French boyfriend might not agree!) If you want a more authentic option, be sure to verify that your bottle is from the Champagne region of France.
You’ve probably heard of Moët & Chandon, the #1 selling champagne in the world. A bottle of their iconic bubbly is a classic choice for ringing in the new year.
The best-selling champagne in France (and #3 worldwide) is Nicolas Feuillate—an excellent option that’s a bit more affordable.
Another famous French champagne house to know is Veuve Clicquot. If you prefer your bubbly pink, their Rosé Champagne is my favorite option that you can easily find at Target.
I have an entire beginner’s guide on how to drink French wine with even more tips and recommendations!
Read More: Beginner's Guide to French Wine
7. Kissing Under the Mistletoe
At midnight, the French wish each other a “Bonne année” or “Bonne santé!” (good health) and exchange kisses (la bise)—usually on the cheek, but it can be on the lips depending on your relationship with the other person.
I will never forget my first New Year’s party in France. I shared a kiss with my boyfriend at midnight, and then to my surprise, everyone went around the room kissing each other on the cheek. I’ve been living in France for almost 5 years now, and I’m still not in love with la bise (blame it on my American roots), but at least it’s no longer shocking to me.
While many cultures reserve mistletoe for Christmas, in France, it's also a New Year's tradition. Kissing under the mistletoe at midnight is thought to bring good luck for the year ahead.
8. Fireworks
In recent years, fireworks have been restricted due to safety concerns, but some local communes still put on impressive displays and parties for their residents. And even if fireworks aren’t really allowed, it’s likely that you’ll see (or hear) some anyway!
If you find yourself in Paris for New Year’s Eve, make sure to visit the Champs-Élysées. The iconic avenue fills with hundreds of people, gathering to watch the light show and illuminations on the Arc de Triomphe. Just before midnight, there is a countdown and a modest fireworks display to celebrate the New Year.
9. New Year’s Resolutions
Like many other cultures, the French make promises for the year ahead—though, just like everywhere, not all of them stick. After midnight, many friends and family share their New Year’s resolutions (les bonnes résolutions). Whether it's to work more (or less), travel more, quit smoking (a particularly popular resolution in France), or try Dry January after the inevitable New Year's Day hangover, everyone has a goal in mind.
I find that in general the French tend to take a more low-key approach to New Year’s resolutions compared to Americans. This is certainly not always the case, merely my observation. Almost all of my friends in the U.S. make big plans to glow up in the year ahead or do challenges to get in shape, eat healthier, etc. I personally like to dream big for the New Year, but I also can find value in setting smaller goals that are probably more realistic and sustainable. If you have any thoughts on this, I’d be interested to hear your perspective!
10. New Year’s Day
While December 31st is full of excitement, New Year’s Day (le Jour de l’An) is much calmer. Many French people spend the day recovering from partying the night before or enjoying a more casual lunch with friends and family. New Year's Day is a public holiday so schools and most businesses are closed.
One thing to look forward to now that the New Year has arrived is the galette des rois, a buttery king cake that’s traditionally reserved for the Epiphany but enjoyed by many families throughout January. I also mentioned it in my blog post on French Christmas traditions, so check it out if you’re curious for more details!
Read More: 10 French Christmas Traditions to Try This Holiday Season
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As we wrap up this list of French New Year’s traditions, it’s clear they aren’t too different from our own in the U.S.! I hope these ten charming customs inspire you this season and bring some French festiveness to your own New Year’s celebrations. No matter how and where you ring in 2025, may it be filled with joy and celebration! Bonne Année !
What are your thoughts on these French New Year’s traditions? Have you ever celebrated New Year’s in France? Let me know in the comments below.
