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New Year’s Eve in Paris: 1–4 Day Hour-by-Hour Itineraries

Paris sees in the New Year on the Champs-Élysées: the avenue goes pedestrian in the evening, a video-mapping show is projected onto the Arc de Triomphe just before midnight and fireworks follow.

Plan with your own dates

Itineraries by length

Where to be at midnight

The city’s big celebration is on the Champs-Élysées. The 2026/27 programme comes out in early December; last year the avenue went pedestrian from 7 pm, with a video-mapping show and countdown on the Arc de Triomphe at 11:50 pm and fireworks at midnight. The midnight step is your choice; at both paces we suggest the Champs-Élysées. We have dinner at Madeleine and walk to the Concorde entrance.

  • The Champs-Élysées (Concorde entrance): The official celebration, free. Very crowded: find your spot on the lower half of the avenue by 11 pm; there are security checks, so don’t bring a big bag. Last year Étoile station closed from 2 pm and the others nearby from 4 pm until 1 am.
  • The Trocadéro: The Eiffel Tower view and smaller crowds; last year there were no fireworks from the tower.
  • A New Year’s Eve boat on the Seine: Midnight aboard a dinner cruise; sells out early.
  • République, Bastille and Nation: We don’t recommend them: these squares have been the gathering points for the cost-of-living protests since October 2026, and a curfew was imposed around République in October.

When are the Christmas market and the lights on?

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MarketDatesHours
Tuileries Christmas market (Le Marché de Noël des Tuileries)14 November 2026 – 3 January 20272026 hours not yet announced
Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree and windowsFrom 12 November 2026during store hours (Mon–Sat 10 am–8:30 pm, Sun 11 am–8 pm)
Champs-Élysées lightsLate November to early January; 2026 switch-on date not yet announcedafter dark

Open and closed on 31 December and 1 January

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Place29–30 December31 December1 January
The Louvreclosed Tue; Wed 9 am–9 pm ✓9 am–6 pm; any early closing not announced !closed ✓
Musée d’Orsay9:30 am–6 pm ✓special hours not announced !open last year ◷
The Eiffel Tower9:30 am to midnight ◷early closing: last entry 6:45 pm last year ◷open ◷
Notre-Dame7:50 am–7 pm ✓open; visits limited during Mass !open last year ◷
Sainte-Chapelle9 am–5 pm ✓9 am–5 pm; any early closing not announced !closed ✓
The Arc de Triomphe10 am–10:30 pm ✓may close early for the celebration !closed ✓
Musée Rodin10 am–6:30 pm (closed Mon) ✓closes at 4:45 pm ✓not announced !
Palais Garnier10 am–5 pm ✓may close on performance days !closed ✓
Galeries Lafayette and the department stores10 am–8:30 pm ✓close early !closed (last year) ◷
Metronormal ✓free all night last year; Champs-Élysées stations closed ◷holiday timetable ◷
  • Official for 2026
  • Last year’s information; 2026 schedule pending
  • Not out yet; check before you go

Tips

  • Since October 2026 there have been cost-of-living protests and strikes (the next big day is 5 November). Big marches usually run between Bastille, République and Nation, and on those days some metro stations and museums can close. Check the RATP and the museum’s website before you go, and keep away from the crowds.

  • Staying 2–4 days and visiting 2–3 museums a day? The Paris Museum Pass can pay off; it covers the Louvre, the Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe. Even with the pass, most places need a timed booking. Paris Museum Pass

  • Paper metro tickets are gone: buy a Navigo Easy card from the station machines and load single tickets or a day pass onto it. You can also pay by phone (the Bonjour RATP app).

  • Pickpockets work the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Sacré-Cœur steps and the metro: keep your bag in front and don’t stop for petition or bracelet sellers.

  • If you live outside the EU, tax free works in the department stores: ask at the till and complete it at the PABLO kiosk at the airport on your way home.

  • Restaurants serve lunch from 12 to 2 pm and dinner from 7:30 pm; the kitchen may be closed in between. The lunchtime set menu (formule) is the best value, and service is included in the bill.

How we built these routes

The 2026/27 programme comes out in early December. The Christmas lights and the Tuileries market last until early January. Our routes build 31 December around Notre-Dame and the Marais in the morning, a long rest and then midnight, and keep 1 January for the Orsay, open on the holiday too, and the Seine. Because of the protests since October 2026, the routes don’t go through République or Nation. There are two paces: relaxed and balanced–packed.

Enter your own dates and the route adapts to that day’s opening hours, markets and your flights.

Frequently asked questions

Are there fireworks in Paris on New Year’s Eve?

Yes, on the Champs-Élysées. Last year there was a video-mapping show and countdown on the Arc de Triomphe at 11:50 pm, with fireworks around the Arc at midnight; there were none from the Eiffel Tower. The 2026/27 programme comes out in early December. Free.

Do the protests and strikes affect the routes?

Since October 2026 there have been cost-of-living protests: on 24 October 24 metro stations and many museums closed, and a curfew was imposed around République; there is a general strike on 5 November. Our routes don’t go through République or Nation, and the Marais day carries a warning because it is close to Bastille. Check the RATP and the museum’s website before you go, and keep away from any crowds.

What’s open on 1 January?

Last year the Orsay, the Orangerie, the Conciergerie, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur were open; the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, the Panthéon, Les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera and the department stores were closed. Most cafés and restaurants are open; 2027 hours come out in December.

How do I get back to my hotel after midnight?

Last year the metro, RER and suburban trains ran free all night; stations around the Champs-Élysées stayed closed until 1 am. Walk to Madeleine; line 14 is the easiest. The 2026 arrangements come out in late December. Taxis are hard to find.

When should I book New Year’s Eve dinner?

In October or November. Restaurants serve a set réveillon menu (menu de la Saint-Sylvestre); pick one around Madeleine or the Opera so you can walk to the Champs-Élysées. The Concorde metro station may be closed in the evening.

Sources

Hours compiled from official sources (30 October 2026). The marks in the table show each time’s status: confirmed for 2026, based on the last season, or not yet published. Holiday hours can change; check the official websites before you go.