New Year's Eve on the Champs-Elysées: practical information to make your evening easier

It's an unmissable event, something to experience at least once if you live in Paris or are visiting the capital during the holiday season. On December 31, 2025, many revelers are expected on theChamps-Elysées to celebrate the New Year.

With a sound and light show, fireworks over the Arc de Triomphe, and entertainment, the most beautiful avenue in the world sparkles with a thousand lights and welcomes thousands of tourists and French people, happy to share New Year's Eve together. The highlight of the evening is, of course, the countdown to midnight and the transition to 2026, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.

But before midnight arrives, you have to spend a few hours on the avenue... And not everyone necessarily wants to stay on the Champs-Elysées all day. What are your options? How do you organize yourself when celebrating New Year's Eve on the Champs?

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This event attracts huge crowds, and the festive atmosphere can sometimes lead to a few incidents. To counter any potential problems, the prefecture and police services strictly control access to the Champs-Elysées during the day on December 31. Several roads are closed to cars, and several metro stations near the avenue are closed to the public, so you should plan ahead for your arrival and departure, allowing enough time to get there. 

The police establish a security perimeter around the Champs-Elysées site, with checks at the entry points. It is theoretically possible to leave and re-enter the area, for example to eat or go to the bathroom. However, due to the large crowds expected, it is likely to be very difficult to move easily in and out of the area. It is therefore advisable to plan ahead for meals and amenities. 

Last year, the festivities began at 7 p.m., but it's advisable to arrive well before then, as the avenue will already be crowded by that time. Partygoers usually start arriving around 4 p.m. to secure a good spot to watch the show on the Arc de Triomphe.

In 2024, the prefecture also banned the consumption of alcohol within the perimeter of the celebration. Similarly, for safety reasons, it is forbidden to bring and use fireworks and pyrotechnic devices on the Champs. 

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather again for New Year's Eve: such a crowd generates a certain amount of warmth. However, remember that on December 31, in the middle of the night in Paris, it is cold. So make sure you dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes so you can stand for several hours without discomfort. 

New Year's Eve on the Champs-Elysées requires a little preparation, but the event remains a must-see during the holiday season.

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