10 Stats How People Celebrate New Year in France with Friends and Family

December 10, 2024

If you truly want something very enchanting, then plan on how to celebrate with friends and family in France. This is because France is full of rich cultural values; there is even a perfect mix of atmosphere that signifies festivity, tradition, and elegance as the date of New Year reaches near. So whatever you plan, like a family-friendly event, or just relax with your family and friends at home, or go on an adventure for a grand celebration in any of the lively cities in France, in this blog, we will try to explore the various ideas that you can use to explore and make the occasion memorable with your loved ones.

Also, if you have any queries regarding the France Visa, we will provide that information before the end of this blog.

Embrace France’s New Year Traditions

When you are planning to celebrate with friends and family in France, you should definitely know about La Saint-Sylvestre, which is also considered New Year’s Eve in France. It is a time when everybody wants to celebrate, spend time in family gatherings, and follow the traditions of the festival. It is basically when people come together on December 31st of every year to say goodbye and welcome the new year with love. One of the main highlights of this tradition is the Reveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. It is a kind of special dinner where delicious dishes like oysters, smoked salmon, foie gras, and a variety of cheeses are served. And while you toast before eating, champagne is an absolute must which is actually a symbol for bringing good luck and happiness for the next year ahead.

Another beloved tradition is to exchange kisses with one another and then wish “Bonne Annee” or Happy New Year at midnight. Come outside to view the amazing fireworks that light up the sky in many cities, especially in Paris, where there is a fireworks show near the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees. Some locals even eat 12 grapes or lentils at the stroke of midnight to bring good luck, prosperity, and health. Whether you plan on celebrating at home or attending parties outside, La Saint-Sylvestre is all about enjoying food, spending quality time with your loved ones, and starting the new year with hope and happiness.

How to Host a Family Friendly New Year’s Party in France

One of the great things about celebrating the new year with friends and family in France is that it can be a lot of fun and an unforgettable experience for everyone. If you have a home in France, start by decorating with items like twinkling lights, balloons, and streamers. Choose the streamers that come in a wide range of colors, such as gold, silver, and white. You can even enlighten the atmosphere with candles and music that is liked by everyone.

Now comes the food menu part, always including a mix of French dishes that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Popular choices are croissants, mini quiches, cheese platters, and sweet treats like eclairs or macarons. Keep non-alcoholic drinks for the kids, such as fruit juices, and for adults, keep sparkling apple cider to enjoy alongside champagne.

Plan some fun activities to keep everyone entertained, such as board games, crafts, or photo booths. It could be anything that is liked by both children and adults. The most important thing is the countdown activity, where everyone can share their New Year wishes before midnight. Finally end it with a toast and share gifts for each guest. This way, it can be a great, joyful celebration for all ages.

New Year Party Games to Enjoy with Family and Friends in France

Another amazing thing about celebrating the new year with friends and family in France is to enjoy fun games that actually bring everyone together. Party games are a great way to keep everyone, from children to adults, entertained and create long-lasting memories. One of the simple and well-liked games is Charades, where players act out words and sentences that others have to guess to make them right. It really brings a lot of laughter to the party.

Another fun activity is Trivia. Here, you can ask questions about the country’s history or culture or whatever important events that happened in the past year. You can participate individually or compete in teams to win small prizes. Then there is a classic game called Musical chairs that is fun for both kids and adults. All you have to do is move around the chairs when the music is playing and immediately grab the nearest chair to sit down when the music stops. The person who misses the chair to sit is out of the game.

If you want it to be a little more creative, then try the New Year’s Resolutions Bingo. Here, you can create bingo cards with common resolutions like exercising more or eating healthier. Then, let the other guests mark those cards after hearing their goals. Finally, a small photo booth where you dress in fun props and costumes to capture the joy of the evening. This adds a bit of light and fun and makes the New Year’s party absolutely unforgettable.

New Year Gift Ideas in France

After celebrating with Friends and Family in France, it is customary to give gifts. It is a way to show appreciation and bring happiness towards the loved ones. You can opt for traditional gifts such as fine chocolates, French cheeses, or bottles of champagne. These are really kind of perfect gifts that can be shared during the New Year celebrations. If you want to do something unique, then go for personalized gifts such as a custom-made photo album or a piece of jewelry engraved with a special message.

There are certain kinds of people who have absolutely great importance in self-care care, such as luxury skincare products or fantastic scented candles. You can even give them in gift baskets, adding a bit of French delicacies, macarons, honey, or artisanal jams. Ever considered something meaningful? Go for meaningful books by a French author or a calendar for New with inspiring quotes.

Nowadays, experience can make wonderful gifts, too. You can order a gift card for a spa day, wine-attesting tour, or cooking glass that will truly create long-lasting memories. Hence, now you have lots of options; choose what you are comfortable with.

How can I Make my New Year Special in France

If you want to make your celebration of New Year with Friends and Family in France very special, then you should always embrace the local traditions. One way is to participate in enjoying the traditional French New Year’s Eve dinner, also known as Reveillon. As discussed before, you can include delicious French dishes like oysters, foie gras, and roasted meats. Then, it should be followed by sweet treats such as the Noel, which is Yule log cake. And when this is done with your family and friends, the Evening will feel more festive.

We suggest that you make your New Year memorable by visiting the capital city, Paris. Great fireworks are held near the Eiffel Tower. You can even take your entire family for a cruise on the Seine River. The sparkling lights of the city truly create an absolutely magical atmosphere. Looking for a quieter celebration? Then go for a ski trip to the French Alps, where you can enjoy winter sports during the day and relax in the cozy resorts at night. Make it even more special by sharing gifts with your loved ones.

Dining in Style: Traditional French New Year’s Eve Dinner (Reveillon)

The main highlight to celebrate New year with Friends and Family in France is to enjoy the New Year’s Eve dinner known as Reveillon. We have already spoken about that in the previous topics. Hence, we will talk about what you can keep in the main course. Opt for roast meats such as turkey, duck, and lamb, along with delicious side dishes such as potatoes, vegetables, and salads. Cheese is always considered an important part of the meal. The dessert also serves as an important part, which is accompanied by buche de Noel, also known as Yule log cake.

Enjoy lively conversations throughout the meal and laughter with lots of wine or champagne. Thus, a Reveillon dinner is a memorable way to experience the joy and traditions of New Year’s Eve in France.

Places to Go on New Year’s Eve for Families in France

Exploration is also a great way to celebrate New Year with Friends and Family in France to have a ball of time together. Try Paris and go to the Champs-Elysee, which is considered a popular spot. This is because people gather over here to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and enjoy the fireworks while viewing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at midnight. Then there is the Seine River Cruise, on which you can get a beautiful view of the landmarks of Paris, followed by a lavish dinner onboard.

Visit the French Alps if your family and friends love it. Over here also, you can have a wonderful New Year’s Eve experience. Go skiing or snowboarding during the day. At night, I have a traditional French dinner with everyone.

In Provence everyone can enjoy a mild winter and take part in the local traditions. The community events have live music and fireworks activities which create a magical atmosphere. These are just a few best places, as you can go to many other wonderful places to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your family.

Attend A New Year’s Eve Ball or Gala in France

One of the glamorous ways to celebrate New Year with Friends and Family in France is attending the New Year’s Eve ball. These events are held in most cities across the country. Paris is one of the famous locations. Remember that all the guests have to dress in formal attire. For men, tuxedos and women’s evening gowns. The Evening will begin with luxurious cocktails, followed by a multi-course dinner specializing in any gourmet French cuisine.

After the meal is over, there is dancing, live music, and even performances by famous DJs. The excitement builds up as midnight approaches. Everyone comes together and enjoys a countdown. Finally a toast with champagne as the clock strikes twelve. Some of the galas are held in historic places such as palaces, ballrooms, or chateaux. The guests will surely have a chance to experience the grand French culture.

Sometimes, the event organizers also feature fireworks or light shows. This adds a stunning touch to the celebration. So just plan together, whatever city you choose, to enjoy this gala event; the experience will truly be spectacular.

Attend a Traditional New Year’s Concert

If you would like to celebrate the new year with your friends and family in France in a nice, peaceful, and cultural setting. Most of the cities and towns in France host a lot of special concerts on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. There will be famous artists who will perform choirs and orchestras. There will even be performances by solo musicians. Most of the venues that are selected are either theaters, cathedrals, or concert halls, adding a great charm to the experience.

The music that is played in these concerts is a mix of classical songs, traditional songs, and some modern masterpieces. Songs are even played by famous composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss to create a great, joyful mood. If you are in Paris, you should definitely go to the Philharmonie de Paris or the Opera Garnier. These are very popular spaces to enjoy a New Year’s concert.

As the music fills the atmosphere, guests often reflect back on the past and feel hopeful for the year ahead.

Places to Stay During New Year in France with family and friends

If you are planning to celebrate New Year with your friends and family in France, you will have to find places to stay. Don’t worry, as there are plenty of wonderful places to stay during the New Year. You can take some of the family-friendly hotels that are located right beside the Eiffel Tower Champs Elysee. Some of the notable mentions are Hotel Novotel Paris Centre and Hotel Mercure Paris Montmartre. If you are looking for a magical experience, then head straight to the Disneyland Paris Resort. You will even get to see fun rides, parades, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

If you prefer staying in the countryside, then spending time in Loire Valley is a good option. There are some popular chateau hotels, such as Chateau de Chambord or guesthouses, that actually give you a peaceful atmosphere. Another great choice is Provence, where there are family-friendly villas and holiday homes. One of the stunning places that will truly give you a relaxing experience is Le Mas de la Rose.

As mentioned before, if folks love to get some adventure, then the French Alps are a must-visit place. Some of the famous resorts, Chamonix and Courchevel, are excellent. There is one hotel called the Hotel Le Hameau Albert Ier in Chamonix that offers a lot of activities like skiing, snowboarding. Some other activities for kids are also available. Thus, we can assure you that there are a variety of places that will absolutely make your New Year special.

Get some professional help in availing France Visa Appointment from UK

Are you facing any difficulty in getting an online France Schengen Visa from UK to celebrate New Year with your family and friends in France? If yes, then worry not. You can use our professional expertise at FRANCE VISA AGENT UK. Just click on the Apply Online tab. A list of forms will appear, continue then to fill in your details. Make the payment before submission. You will be contacted by our executives immediately to discuss everything to book your Visa appointment date. We will maintain a top-priority service for you so that you have a stress-free experience in getting a Visa with us.

Conclusion

Thus we can conclude that if you plan to celebrate New Year with your friends and family in France, you will surely get a wonderful experience with many unforgettable memories. Whatever your options are, like celebrating in the city atmosphere, in Disneyland, or just relaxing to get a peaceful retreat, everything is available in France. If you stay in Paris, don’t forget to enjoy the fireworks near the Eiffel Tower, go around to explore the markets, or just relax to dine at a cozy restaurant.

Sometimes it’s necessary to have some quiet moments, hence the French countryside can be perfect. There are many places like Loire Valley and Provence, along with villas and chateau hotels to relax.

No matter what you choose, having quality time with your friends and family is absolutely important. We hope that the magnificent scenery, great culture, and festive spirit give you the best memories of the New Year celebration.

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