Just booked 6 nights in Paris between Christmas and New Years. Thanks to the Fodorites for a fantastic thread on Paris apartments. There seemed to be an abundant number of choices and we think we've snagged a good one in the 3rd.

What would you do on New Year's Eve in Paris? Should I expect it to be similar to the states where you would need to have reservations for any decent restaurant?

Will restaurants & public transportation be available on New Year's day?

Public transit will be available and restaurants are most likely to have special menus with astronomical prices, and reservations will be necessary

I would want to be someplace with a fireplace. If it wasn't my rental apartment (and I would prefer my rental apartment even if it didn't have a fireplace), I'd pick this:

http://www.ateliermaitrealbert.com/en/accueil.php

Almost all Parisian restaurants that are open on New Year's Eve (St-Sylvestre) require advance reservations and have a set menu and theme.

When we were there several years ago, I noticed that one could still reserve at the traditional bistro Polidor for one of their two sittings (7 and 10:30, as I recall) in person just a day or two before. The price then was 35 euros a person.

yes, it is very similar to US or most countries, I imagine. Big restaurant night, you'd have to reserve (and very expensive). Yes, public transportation runs every day of the year in Paris. I would think some restaurants might close on that holiday, though, but they will not all be closed, of course.

I don't like NY eve, so wouldn't go. But if I did, I'd probalby just wander around and see what's happening on the streets in the center. I just don't like that holiday.