Traditionally New Year in France kicks off with a Champagne Toast and foie gras. Every region has its own unique specialties.
If you are unsure about where to celebrate New Year this time, France can prove to the best ever decision you have made with a lot of unique things, traditions and celebrations it has to offer that dates back to centuries.
With their lavish festive winter celebrations, unique culture and delicious French cuisine, France adds even more excellence and exquisiteness to the event. Let us help you make the New Year Eve this year a little more stylish and special by giving you a glimpse of the New Year countdown party, different celebrations as well as the traditions of this beloved European country.
New Year Traditions to Explore the Beauty of France
Because December 31 is Saint Sylvestre’s feast day, French New Year’s Eve is usually referred to as La Saint-Sylvestre. While Christmas special meals and parties are popular worldwide, France has its own customs and traditions for celebrating this special day with people wishing Bonne Année (Happy New Year) to each other. Here are some French traditions you will love to know and participate in if you are planning to ring in the New Year 2024 with style.
- A romantic New Year tradition that French couples follow is exchanging kisses underneath the mistletoe as a symbol of their love. The Druids started this custom according to which kissing under the mistletoe will help in getting rid of evil spirits.
- In France celebrating New Year with a Grand Le Reveillon is an age old custom. Along with the King Cake there are oysters during the festival. Do not forget to toast and say “Bonne Année et Bonne Santé to wish people around you.
- What if you do not have a partner? Well, because some Romane introduced the custom of kissing on New Year’s Eve to Europe and this tradition of kissing does not end on 31st December. At masquerade balls, people gather and when the clock strikes twelve they kiss each other to protect one another from evil wishing Happy New Year!
- Another French New Year tradition that should not be missed is the New Year Parade. Following the president’s speech, people gather to take a walk along lanes on the street at night to make some noise and party.
- As part of the French custom of ringing in the New Year, exchange gifts and cards. On January 1st, over family lunch, the card’s presents are exchanged together with wishes for a happy new year.
- Exchanging gifts and cards is another way of celebrating New Year in France. These presents and cards are exchanged next day on 1st January during family lunch while also wishing Bonne Année to each other.
Ways to Celebrate New Year in French Style
Every French city has something to offer to make the New Year celebrations fun and memorable. Paris being the tourism hub hosts truly stunning Christmas celebrations across the city along with midnight fireworks show and gleaming decorations. If you want to make the most of your New Year travel to France in 2023 check out these stunning and fascinating activities taking place on 31st December.
- Fireworks Show in Paris
One of the most beautiful sights that you must visit when you are in Paris is Eiffel Tower and to celebrate New Year’s Eve and make it even more spectacular and unforgettable there is a firework show after sunset. As a New Year tradition of France you can also kiss under the Eiffel Tower to make a little romantic as well and welcome the New Year 2024 in style.
This year you can watch the firework show as well music concert from Arc de Triomphe. You can also do a French Champagne Toast to wish happy New Year and enjoy the evening to the fullest.
- Go for a Cruise Dinner
Make your New Year in France even more luxurious and joyous with a dinner in cruise over Seine River. Apart from dinner you can also enjoy amazing food, striking music and authentic French wine and enjoy the night like never before. Dance floor and DJ generally remains open for all to celebrate the New Year Eve on Cruise with irresistible Music and Dancing.
- Enjoy Show and Dinner at Moulin Rouge
When we talk about French New Year’s Eve, DJ nights and parties are quite common but there is more to make celebrations even more unique and grand. Moulin Rouge will host an excellent Feerie show with hundred artists performing along with the very popular Doriss Girls. They always make sure that everyone attending enjoys and take full advantage of the celebrations.
Food, beverages and amazing performances will be available to further enhance the joyful atmosphere of the place. It is well-known among people and is often crowded on all occasions.
- Exquisite Meal at Le Procope
Festive winter celebrations in France are incomplete without having regal dinner at Le Procope. One of Paris’s oldest restaurants will be hosting a romantic dinner night for couples and families. The restaurant has a historical feel to it along with a cozy ambience. Le Procope’s speciality is its Traditional cuisine which is sure to leave you craving more.
The restaurant will give you classic zest that has an alluring aroma which is quite irresistible. If not family you can go there with friends and raise the French Champagne Toast under bicorn hat of Napoleon.
- Get Aww Struck by Disneyland Decoration
Most amazing and fun place to welcome the New Year 2024 with never-ending entertainment is undoubtedly Disneyland. To keep you entertained and engaged there will be a parade, fireworks and several other activities. With family and kids, there will be plenty things to enjoy, including DJ nights and music activities. The festivities will begin on December 25, 2023, and will continue till January 7, 2024.
All the restaurants out there have made several menu additions so that everyone attending takes back delicious and enjoyable experience. If you want to attend the gala dinner that these restaurants are hosting, you must reserve a table in advance so prepare everything to ensure a better space to make the most out of your French New Year’s Eve.
- Exclusive New Year Celebration at Aquarium de Paris
Imagine spending a festive evening in a massive aquarium that has a mermaid theme and a fairytale setting. A special theme party at Aquarium De Paris is being held this year for 1500 lucky guests who will get to enjoy a luxurious experience under the Eiffel tower. You won’t want to miss this Paris New Year celebration, which includes an aquatic dance floor, an open bubble bar, lots of goodies and free breakfast pastries at the end of the evening.
- France Street Parties
New Year in France is all about partying till late night with your friends and family while enjoying with full enthusiasm and pleasure. Street parties are just a vibe with fireworks, dance and wine glass in hand. Celebrations are generally organized by city council which is like a dream come true for a lot of people attending.
The Party must go on…
In France, people celebrate the New Year with a lot of entertainment, fun and enthusiasm. Families and visitors on a break visiting with France visa will be treated with numerous activities, parties and gala dinners. France has its own beauty and joy when it comes to New Year celebrations. The majority of the activities are designed to attract tourists with its breathtaking beauty. Discover their traditional art and charm of French food, festive vibes and fireworks to make this New Year’s Eve an unforgettable event.
Conclusion
It sounds like a wonderful idea to celebrate New Year’s Eve in France. What better way to round of the year than raising a champagne toast, savoring delicious French cuisine, watching fireworks display and attending parties or cruise dinners.
So, if you are planning to spend this New Year in France start your application for France visa from UK now to avoid any last minute delays and hassles. It is generally easy to apply for your visa with the help of experienced agents so that you don’t have to go through all the visa related rules and regulations which are actually very difficult to understand.
Most importantly the France visa appointment which is very difficult to obtain as slots are generally full. This is because a lot of people wanting to go to France during New Year and Christmas.
FAQ’s
Here is the simple France visa UK application process:
STEP 1. You complete the online application form by visiting https://www.visaforfrance.co.uk/.
STEP 2. They book your France visa appointment from UK within a week with the TLS Visa Centre.
STEP 3. You visit the visa centre with all the required documents (as explained by them) and submit your biometric details like finger print and digital photo.
STEP 4. Get your passport and visa directly through TLS either via courier or you can collect it yourself from TLS centre. But you have to choose the option on the day of your appointment.
No, you will need to apply for a France visa if you are not a UK citizen and living with a residency permit and planning to visit France unless:
You are a citizen of one of the Schengen nations or an EU/EEA citizen.
If the country you belong to has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen region.
You will not stay in the UK for longer than 90 days and are an Australian, New Zealand, US OR Canadian citizen.
All foreign nationals wishing to apply for French visa from London must possess a valid resident permit for visa approval.
Yes, a France visa appointment can be cancelled in some avoidable circumstances, but the service charges will not be refunded.
The approval time for a France visa may vary depending on the time of the year. Type of visa and complexity of your visa application. Generally, processing time ranges between 8-10 working days, though it can sometimes take longer in rare circumstances or for some nationalities it takes around 15 days’ time. Get in touch with us to know more about it.
A. Yes, if you want a France tourist visa from UK you must book an appointment at the TLS visa centre where generally it is very difficult to find available dates for even months. However with our years of expertise, we can book the express dates on your behalf in TLS centre.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your planned trip and as late as one week prior to your trip. However, we always advise you to apply at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle. Hence it is the right time to apply if you are planning to celebrate Christmas in France.
Validity of France Schengen visa depends on several different factors including whether you are applying for the first time or you already have had multiple Schengen visas in the past.
France generally gives visa for 3 months to 2 years or sometimes even with longer validity but maximum that you can stay is 90 days in a single trip.
