So, you’ve decided to make all your friends and family back home green with envy by spending New Year’s in Paris, the most romantic city of all time! Well done…you certainly don’t settle for mediocrity over the holidays. And you’re truly in for a treat. We can’t think of a better place for fireworks and champagne than the city of light itself! 

In a city as big and bustling as Paris, there are plenty of options! Regardless of your budget, or whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or your significant other, we believe there is something on this list for everyone. 

It’s hard to pick the best season in Paris, but we’re pretty sure there’s nothing quite as magical as spending the holidays here. We've talked about the Christmas markets and activities, but we can't forget about New Years Eve. The whole month of January is practically a special occasion. 

Yeah, we know New Year’s resolutions are fun and all, but the French have a slightly different version of this tradition. Rather than making resolutions for New Years, French people like to set ‘bonnes intentions,’ or ‘good intentions’ for the year. 

Wow, doesn’t that sound so much less stressful?! 

By setting good intentions instead of strict resolutions, there is more flexibility and room for growth without the pressure of deadlines. Good intentions don’t require you to make a massive lifestyle change, like most resolutions, but simply help you to establish your focus for the coming year. We think the French have it figured out. 

While you’re enjoying the holidays and reflecting on the year as it comes to a close, try out the French tradition of setting ‘bonnes intentions’ with your loved ones. It’s a great way to approach this transitional time and welcome the arrival of the new year with compassion and positivity. And you might just end up adopting this tradition in your own household for years to come!

The French love to throw a big party and New Years is no exception! 

So we’ve decided to compile a list of unique outings and experiences for your New Year’s Eve celebration in Paris. The best part is that most of them don’t require you to spend much money and will leave you rich with memories that you’ll cherish forever. 

Here are 8 unforgettable (including low cost) ways you can ring in Le Nouvel An in Paris…

1. Fireworks on the Champs Elysées 

If you're searching for the most iconic New Year’s Eve experience in the heart of Paris, don’t miss the Champs Elysées block party. This citywide celebration involves music, a light show, and of course, pyrotechnics, over the beautiful Arc de Triomphe. In recent years, they have even included video projections on the arch itself. Last year, more than a million tourists and locals alike gathered to watch the fireworks display, and we can only imagine how exciting it will be this year. 

The Champs is closed to automobiles from New Year’s Eve until 6pm on January 1st. After dinner, make your way along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe for some firework magic that will be just as special for the adults as it is for the kids. 

After a late night of fun, if you are looking for a festive and relaxed way to enjoy New Year's Day, go check out the New Year’s Parade starting around 1pm on the Champs. The celebration continues!

2. Go Ice Skating at the Plaza Athénée or the Palais-Royal

Over New Years, the Plaza Athénée (a 5-star hotel and restaurant) pulls out all the stops with a massive ice rink and a Savoyard fondue dinner. This luxurious formula offers a dreamy setting for winter skating, followed by a comforting meal served with champagne and dessert. 

The ice rink is open from 7:30pm-8:30pm and will continue until January 20th. 

Alternatively, the French fashion brand AMI has opened a pop-up boutique this year complete with its own ice skating rink at the Palais-Royal. This is an extremely recent addition to the holiday program in Paris and we are beyond thrilled about it! The silvery guard rails and surrounding white columns create a winter wonderland effect that takes Paris chic to a new level. 

Either rink would make an excellent option for romantic dates or to keep the kids entertained. They will absolutely LOVE skating in big circles under strings of fairy lights. Throwing a more active experience into the mix can be the perfect way to break up all the hearty winter meals and sightseeing of Paris. 

AMI’s ice rink is open from December 16th until December 31st from 11am-7pm. It will be closed on December 25th and January 1st. The best part is that entry is FREE!

To find out more about the Ami’s new ice rink, check out their website here: 

https://www.amiparis.com/fr/article/la-patinoire-ami

3. Go Dancing at an Underground Jazz Club

If you want to see another side of Paris at night, one that is vibrant and mysterious, be sure to visit an underground jazz club for some musical entertainment. Le Caveau de la Huchette, self-proclaimed as the Temple of Swing, is an underground jazz club with a rich history in Paris. The club, with its stone archways and mid-century decor, hosts live music every evening and provides a gritty yet high-class atmosphere for dancing or just listening to good music and people-watching. You’ll feel like you’re in The Great Gatsby or in Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. 

Some of the biggest names in jazz have played at Le Caveau de la Huchette since 1946, including the likes of Art Blakey, Memphis Slim, and Detroit Gary Wiggins. 

No need to make a reservation here, seating is first come, first served. 

For more information, check out their website: http://www.caveaudelahuchette.fr/2/

4. Visit the Tropical Aquarium de la Porte Dorée

If you’re looking for a unique experience with the family, consider checking out the Aquarium Tropical de la Porte Dorée. You will soon forget you’re in Europe in the winter when you start exploring 84 living collections of mangrove forests, coral reefs, species from the Amazon River, and even albino alligators. The kids will be thrilled and you’ll see all kinds of things you’ve never seen before. This is a perfect activity if you’re looking for a little change of pace and need something to capture the kids’ imaginations. 

The aquarium is open from 10am-7pm on Sundays. 

Admission is €10 for Adults and FREE for anyone under 26 years old. 

Find out more information on their website here: https://www.aquarium-tropical.fr/en/programmation/l-exposition-permanente/les-collections-vivantes

5. Treat Yourself to Oysters and Champagne

Oysters are an absolute staple in French holiday traditions. One might even say the French have a love affair with oysters, and since we all know they’ve mastered the pleasures of food and drink, we would be foolish not to trust their passion for shellfish. If you want to feel peak levels of sophistication, indulge yourself at one of the city’s many oyster bars. 

They are typically served on the half shell and garnished with lemon slices and/or a mignonette sauce. If you’re adventurous enough to order a tray of bivalves on ice, you will really feel like you’ve ascended to the luxurious Parisian lifestyle. If you drink alcoholic beverages, don't forget to pair the oysters with a glass of champagne for maximum effect!

Be sure to reserve as early as possible because the oyster bars fill up quickly and restaurants will be packed on New Year’s Eve, since it’s a Parisian tradition. 

For a perfect place to enjoy oysters and champagne at reasonable prices, check out Le Mary Celeste in the 3rd Arrondissement: https://www.lemaryceleste.com/

6. Experience the Nightlife at Sacré Cœur

If you are looking for a dynamic evening with a little more breathing room than the Champs Elysée provides, consider exploring the beautiful neighborhood of Montmartre. Tucked just below the iconic basilica, the Sacré Cœur Plaza offers an amazing vantage point of the city with a mellow ambience to ring in the New Year. 

But don’t worry, Montmartre is no ghost town. You will have loads of bars, restaurants, cabaret show, and clubs to choose from, not to mention the bordering neighborhood of Pigalle, which is an artsy gem of Parisian nightlife. If you're in the mood for a dance party, this is a great place to look. Don’t forget to walk by the famous Moulin Rouge Cabaret if you end up in Pigalle. 

7. Wander through a Museum

If you’re an art snob or a history buff, you’re in luck! Paris is home to so many interesting museums that are worth checking out. The great news is…nearly ALL of the museums in Paris stay open on December 31st! Wandering through a museum or two can be a cozy and educational way to spend the afternoon before all the nighttime festivities kick off. 

If you love Impressionist Art, we recommend visiting the Musée D’Orsay. This museum speaks for itself and every room is worth visiting. 

You can pre-book tickets online here: https://billetterie.musee-orsay.fr/en-GB/home

If time travel is more your thing, we recommend checking out The Carnavalet-History of Paris Museum. This museum is located in the Marais and offers fascinating glimpses into old-time Paris through a vast collection of cultural artifacts. Bonus points: entry to the permanent collection is FREE!

8. Enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower at night from Bir-Hakeim Bridge

There’s a reason we favor this spot for outdoor portrait sessions. It beautifully frames the Eiffel Tower while also offering an escape from crowds directly in front of the tower. If you’re like us, and you can’t get enough of the Eiffel Tower from every angle, this view will not disappoint. 

The Seine River is such an integral part of Parisian life. In the warmer months, locals often sit and chat with friends on the banks of the Seine. In the wintry months, it can be just as special to watch the bateaux parisiens glide dreamily through the dark water as the city glitters beyond. 

Pont Bir-Hakeim also happens to be covered, which can be a lifesaver in unpredictable winter weather. In the event that Paris decides to rain on New Year’s Eve, your enjoyment of the city’s most iconic view won’t be spoiled! 

If you’re planning a late night or prefer to head to bed early, there is another bonus! ALL public transportation in Paris will be FREE from 5pm on December 31st, 2023 until 12pm on January 1st, 2024. This means that you don’t have to worry about buying tickets for buses, trams, or the metro after 5 o’clock. If you’re traveling as a family, having one less thing to think about can be such a relief! After all, taking the metro lines is often the best option for getting around. 

If you run into any French locals after midnight, don’t forget to wish them a “bonne année!” 

And if you end up setting bonnes intentions, we hope you intend to come back to the french capital very very soon! 

If you are here for the first time or the 100th time, let’s make sure you document it! Get in touch with us for gorgeous and fun family portraits and beautiful museum quality artwork for your home!

Want more info? Get in touch with us to schedule your Paris photo session.