New Years in France
 

Hey everyone,

Going to be heading to Europe in the next few days.
Will end up finding myself in France for New Years courtesy of my girlfriend who is determined to spend New Years in France. Although she hasn't decided what city yet.

That being the case was hoping for some suggests as to what city has the best vibe around this time. We don't mind a party city, but we not looking for anything too hectic. Just friendly people that know how to have a good time within limits.

Thank you in advance. :)

Apart from the usual fireworks and crowds experience, which you can find in almost any city in France, St-Sylvestre is generally an occasion for booking (far in advance) a special dinner at a restaurant with oysters and champagne and foie gras and other specialties and settling in for a long evening of eating and drinking, sometimes with entertainment.

Why does your girlfriend want to spend NYE in France and what is she expecting?

The crowd event is on the Champs Elysées, not near the Eiffel Tower.

It's not a very warm time of year, so in most places celebrations take place at fancy (and generally very expensive) meals in restaurants, which are made to last about 3 hours until midnight. This is not my idea of fun personally, but many people love it. Of course, the majority of the French do their fancy dinner (oysters, foie gras, smoked salmon and other rarely eaten items) at home with their friends and family at just a fraction of the cost.

Nice and southern France would have better weather for midnight revelry but I'd think all over France security would be intense and some things cancelled like Paris Christmas markets were someone said in another thread.

But yes why France.

Amsterdam could be more your liking for youthful exuberance - huge party with bands, etc and folks come there from all over to celebrate.

It was mentioned in the news that Nice has spent more on Christmas decorations this year than Paris, most likely because due to last year's tragedy they cancelled just about all festive events up until now -- so there was plenty of money left over in the municipal budget.

The Paris Christmas markets weren't cancelled due to security, although I suppose that could have been a consideration.

Only one Christmas market was cancelled in Paris -- the one on the Champs Elysées. Security was not at all the reason.

Curious at to reason - budget, traffic concerns?

No fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Go to a nice hotel for a room and dinner. Better reserve.

We have spent NYE in many European cities over the last 10 years and France is our least favourite place to celebrate. A long (expensive) dinner is the norm. Paris was ok, but we spent one NYE in Beaune in Burgundy and at the stroke of midnight all the festive lights outside turned off and there was no one around on the walk home maybe 30 mins later.

Italy, on the other hand, we found very festive. Montepulciano (where we are heading to this NYE for the 3rd time) has a big bonfire and Christmas market open quite late and everyone congregates and sings with the live bands after the clock strikes 12. We still go out for a big dinner but found the town is very festive after midnight as well.

Lisbon put on great fireworks, and I think Rome does as well although we didn't see them when we were there for NYE.

Enjoy!

Thank you for getting back to me everybody, very helpful information. Not to sound insensitive but totally forgot about the tragedy. Thank you for the reminder guys... So do will markets be closed? Can imagine, why they would cancel for fireworks though.

If Christmas markets are open what would be the best ones to check out?

Imagine if we do want to do fancy restaurants we would have to book well in advance?

For a fancy restaurant, you should have booked already.

<<If Christmas markets are open what would be the best ones to check out? >>

Since you don't seem to have decided where in France you're going to be, it would be a waste of time to recommend specific markets. You might start by researching Strasbourg and thereabouts, though.

As for NYE in a fancy restaurant, the people who are drawn to this sort of thing reserve months in advance, so you're already late to the table.

I'd go to Amsterdam, not France, for a spectacular and festive NYE.

Thank you for the overwhelming feedback everybody... Really appreciate it. Although if I'm being honest its just made my decision that much harder with so many different opinions haha. But again, thank you all.

While you are a bit late I am sure you will be able to find something for NYE in Paris. Le Train Blue is an example and you can reserve on their website if they have space.

Oh yes, good idea. The Train Bleu only costs 199 euros per person for December 31st.

How do you know how much someone wants to spend on dinner kerouac?

I must have missed your helpful suggestions...

Hi , I don't think I have a lot to add but be careful with the Christmas markets, most of them close on Christmas day. So there won't be anything to see on NYE.
It is true that most of us spend NYE Inside with our friends and it is a known fact that going to a restaurant on that date is a rip off.
If it is a possibility for you, maybe rent an appartment (airbnb or whatever) and go bye your meal at a caterer. You won't find a lot to do outside.

I see there are a few parties that are happening, so are they worth it? Or will people not attend those either cause people are indoors.

What if you wanted to have a drink, somewhere besides a restaurant?