Paris New Years Eve and New Years Day

Old Sep 22nd, 2016, 04:47 PM
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Paris New Years Eve and New Years Day

Thinking of going to Paris and being there thru New Years Day. Any suggestions for a safe and fun New Year's Eve celebration with two teenage girls?
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Old Sep 23rd, 2016, 12:06 AM
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Well, first of all, there will be no fireworks.

The Mayor did allow a 15 minute sound and light show to be projected on the Arc de Triomphe, last year - but the area was barricaded, bags were searched, and no glass bottles or alcohol were allowed by the armed soldiers. People always do gravitate to the Champs-Elysees, though.

So far, there has been nothing announced for this New Year's Eve.

You might think about taking a cruise on the Seine, to see the city when everything is illuminated - the latest cruise available is at 5:45 PM on New Year's Eve. You might not get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle, but it will be lit up at this time.

If you're staying in a hotel, you might ask whether they will have anything special planned, or could suggest a nearby restaurant with a "reveillon" menu - featuring a traditional feast. You might start searching for restaurants yourself, but menus are usually posted sometime in November/December. You will have to book ahead.

If you're staying somewhere else, you might think about assembling a fancy meal and eating at home. Food and wine shops stay open until around 7:30 PM, maybe a little later.

Though public transportation is free on NYE, I would not suggest you use it to get home. It's a madhouse, and frankly, dangerous.

Wherever you decide to go to celebrate, you will need to be able to walk home. You'll be safe as long as you know where you're going, and you'll have plenty of company, because almost everyone else will be doing the same thing.

New Year's Day is a Sunday, and many places will be closed. If you're staying in a more touristy area, though, you'll find enough to do, places to eat, etc. If you're in the area around Bastille, the open air market will be open from 09:30 to 12:30.

Most people go for a nice long walk on New Year's Day. The Christmas markets on the Champs-Elysees will open around noon, and the Christmas decorations in store windows and along certain streets will remain up until 5 January.
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Old Sep 24th, 2016, 06:10 AM
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Check Paris by Mouth for reveillon celebrations at restaurants closer to time. You may be able to find a list from last yr on the site now.
I agree that hotels will likely have some things planned. Not sure of your budget but the Ritz re-opened this year. I am sure they will have several options if you want to splurge.

We usually leave a few days after Christmas, so I have not been in Paris over New Years....I am not that big on NYE (mostly b/c it is a night of terror for our 2 Shelties....they are afraid of fireworks that seem to start a dusk and go until about 1am in our corner of the world).

I would search Fodors for trip reports or or other posts asking for NYE info. Good luck with it.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 03:51 PM
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I agree with FuzzBucket's advice -- the metro is not the place I want to be on NYE. Along with the metro issues we also had major problems when taking a cab back as many bridges are blocked and the crowds made it difficult to return to our area taking hours instead of 20 minutes earlier in the evening.

There are celebrations all around and I like the idea of choosing something near your hotel or apartment so that it is close and walking distance.

It's a fun experience after we learned to stay near our apartment instead of choosing a wonderful restaurant that was a nightmare to return back to our apartment.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 06:18 PM
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I have been in Paris on NYE a couple of times, and for me (Californian) how much I celebrate really depends on how cold/dark/rainy it is. I would plan a special, late dinner near your hotel and after that play it by ear. Exhaust the girls with lots of sightseeing during the day first.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 10:23 PM
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I don't know that there are "celebrations all around", but there are usually impromptu gatherings of people at cafes, etc.

If BeachGirl247 could recommend something specific they enjoyed, that would be very helpful.

Most people have private parties, just because it's easier to do, rather than trying to get back home from some restaurant or the Champs-Elysees.

New Year's Day will be easy - you'll find lots of places that will be open, though maybe not as early as usual.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 10:34 PM
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We are talking about tourists, not private parties at home.

So the Champs Elysées is the main -- and safest -- place to be for visitors wanting to celebrate the new year.

There may or may not be fireworks. I doubt if any decision will be made by the city until December. However, the countdown projected on the Arc de Triomphe is probably here to stay. The avenue is closed to traffic starting around 22:30.

The metro is not really a problem -- except for the crowds on line 1 -- until about 1 a.m. when the young drunks begin to lose control. Is it really any different in other cities?

New Year's day is quite calm, and all public transportation remains free until noon.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 11:54 PM
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My personal opinion is that food on such days is les good, more expensive and restaurants being more crowded, the service is less good and slower.

I now, after several experiences, prefer to make something light and celebrate the day before or after.

Gathering and fun is something else, however I've never been in Paris on these days so cannot comment more. I tend to stay home or at a cosy place close to home/hotel. Walking distance too - I hate taking a car or a cab back.
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