Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Paris

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Paris is a grand tradition that both locals and tourists participate in. The festivities are all night long and you won’t run out of places to be. Keep reading to plan out your New Year’s Eve in Paris this upcoming 2020.

Last Year’s Meal

Just before launching into the New Year, having a memorable dinner can leave a lasting impression of that past year. One dinner we can’t resist is a romantic dinner cruise on the Seine River. There are several options for this tour, but the most famous tour is the Bateaux-Mouches Cruise Tour. While cruising down this beautiful scenic route, you will be able to see the City of Lights’ momentous sites such as the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre. There are also other cruise lines that host parties instead of a romantic two-person date. These boats offer dinner and live music by a DJ.

If you’re looking to utilize the kitchen in your apartment for a New Year’s Eve dinner, then there are plenty of gourmet shops around Paris to do your grocery shopping. La Maison Plisson takes a farm-to-table approach and offers high quality goods for an affordable amount. In addition, if you happen to find yourself at the Galeries Lafayette, the lower floors of this department store consist of its gourmet food section. Here, you will be able to find French produce and gourmet food delights.

An apartment we recommend with a modern kitchen is this 2 bedroom vacation rental in Le Marais. Le Marais is in the 4th arrondissement of the city, which is close to La Maison Plisson and Galeries Lafayette. Enjoy your foie gras on toast with fig and confit bought from a local market in this apartment’s gorgeous separate eat-in kitchen. This furnished apartment is warm and cozy which is great for resting before and after heading out. If you’re in town for a few days, then we suggest checking out the Paris Christmas markets that will still be open after Christmas.

Street Parties

As part of the tradition, Paris’ streets during New Year’s Eve are a lively time. Large yet intimate, public street parties are a great way to celebrate an international holiday with strangers. One of the most popular street parties is the New Year’s Eve Countdown on the Champs-Élysées and midnight light show at the Arc de Triomphe. The free show starts with a countdown projected on the Champs-Élysées followed by a fireworks show. This beautiful spectacle joins together thousands of people from all over the world which is something you wouldn’t want to miss.

Another street party gathering point is the Champ de Mars. This narrow yet lengthy strip of green is the largest public greenspace in Paris making it the perfect place to hold a celebration. Be sure to get here early to get a good view of the light show. After midnight, many bars and nightclubs stay open to continue the festivities.

For a less crowded option, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city below at Sacré-Coeur Hill in Montmartre. Though fireworks are only permitted on Bastille Day, you will still be able to find local fireworks shows in this area. This neighborhood is also great for live entertainment, food, and drinks after the midnight celebration.

Dazzling Celebrations

If going to the nightclubs are a must for you on New Year’s Eve, then Paris is the place to be. There are many different clubs to check out and parties happening during the night that you won’t want to miss. Wanderlust Paris is a venue overlooking the Seine River with an outdoor dance floor. Since it can get very cold during winter-time in Paris, this venue also has two indoor dance floors. For something more out of the blue, you can join the New Year’s Eve party at L’Aquarium Paris. Just as the name suggests, this venue has an aquarium inside the club filled with tropical fish, leopard stingrays, and sometimes sharks.

Let’s also not forget that Paris is home to Disneyland Paris. The park opened in 1992 and is the largest Disney Park outside of the United States. On every New Year’s Eve, the park hosts its New Year’s Eve parade and fireworks show. Whether you’re a child or an adult, going to Disneyland is a magical experience especially for New Year’s Eve.

Just like some of these hip clubs, this 2 bedroom Le Marais vacation rental is right by the Seine River. Getting to the parties and coming back would be of great ease when staying here. Though it is located in a 17th century walk-up, the apartment features modern and convenient features such as a digicode security system. This renovated apartment keeps the high ceilings and exposed beams but incorporates modern furniture for a harmonic blend. As it is in the heart of historic Paris, you can visit many cafes and shops around or even visit unique attractions such as the Paris Catacombs.

Experience the Arts

As a global center for arts and fashion, Paris offers many shows and concerts on New Year’s Eve. These shows range from church concerts to cabaret shows.

At the French Gothic church, Church of St. Eustache, the Orchestre Les Violons de France and the soprano Cécile Besnard play iconic masterpieces such as “The Four Seasons” and classic Christmas carols for New Year’s Eve. Similarly, you will be able to find a concert being at La Madeleine Church. This Greek-style church is hosting Mozart’s Requiem under the direction of Alain Guilouzo.

If you want to see a dance performance, the Kiev National Opera Ballet is performing the famous ballet, Swan Lake, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Valery Kovtun’s version preserves the spirit and nature of the original performance. If you have already seen this famous performance, then we suggest heading to the Opera de Paris to catch Le Parc. According to their website, “this ballet embodies a subtle balance between classical whisperings of Mozart and modern choreographic language.”

In the heart of Parisian nightlife culture stands cabaret shows. The modern form of cabaret started in the 1880s in Paris and continues to thrive. Seeing a show is a must when visiting Paris. One of the most famous cabarets is Moulin Rouge. With its iconic red windmill on its roof, Moulin Rouge is where the French can-can dance all started. Today, the venue still offers entertainment and food. For their New Year’s Eve party, they offer different menus and an unforgettable show.

Compared to Moulin Rouge, Le Lido is much newer to the scene; however it is just as fantastic. Located on the Champs- Élysées, Le Lido offers an hour and a half long show consisting of 10-20 scenes. On New Year’s Eve, they are offering two types of packages. You can either enjoy a dinner with the show and celebrations or simply grab some champagne and enjoy the show. Either package offers the famous performance they are known for.

Fitting in with the theme of Moulin Rouge, this 1 bedroom Montmartre vacation rental uses accents of red to make itself stand out. Here, you will find a vintage vibe throughout the furnished apartment. It utilizes spaces to provide vacationers with a feeling of home. With a fully-equipped kitchen, you can definitely whip up a special French breakfast while staying here. Situated atop the hill in Montmartre, this apartment isn’t far from the New Year’s Eve street party and Moulin Rouge!

As long as the night continues, you will find endless opportunities to ring in the New Year in Paris. Planning a magical evening could be stressful so send us an apartment rental request  or browse our Paris vacation rentals by neighborhood and let one of our experienced agents help find you the perfect apartment for a spectacular New Year’s celebration in Paris.