Ring in 2026: Unforgettable Ways to Celebrate New Years Day in Paris
The magic of Paris doesn't stop at midnight! On New Years Day, the City of Light invites you to dive into a new year of adventure, style, and a dash of romance. Whether you're drifting along the Seine with a glass of champagne, savoring a gourmet meal high up in the Eiffel Tower, or listening to classical music in an historic church, Paris on January 1st is the perfect way to kickstart 2026.
Think chic lunches, indulgent dinner cruises, and the sparkling glow of holiday lights — it's all here, waiting to make your first day of the year absolutely unforgettable. So, come on; let's start 2026 the Parisian way.
New Years Day 2026
New Year's Day Bateaux Parisiens Dinner Cruise
Picture this — gliding down the Seine on New Year's Day, with the magic of Paris glowing all around you. As the city's most iconic landmarks drift by, bathed in holiday lights, your evening unfolds with the kind of elegance only Paris can offer. Onboard, the chef and his team have created a sumptuous multi-course feast, perfect for starting the year in style.
We adore the Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruises, especially when the Service Premier Menu is served with VIP perks, front-row seating, a refined menu, and, of course, more champagne. If this is how 2026 begins, just imagine what the rest of the year has in store!
At A Glance
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5
⏰ Duration: 8:30pm departure, 2h30 duration
🎵 Entertainment: Live singer performing French classics and international favorites
🍷 Wine: Red or white wine included
🍾 Champagne: Welcome glass included, 2nd glass with dessert (Service Premier option)
👍 We Recommend: Service Premier — front-row Paris views, an upgraded menu, and yes, more champagne
Bateaux Mouches Evening Dinner Cruise with Live Music
Step aboard the glass-walled elegance of a Bateaux Mouches dinner cruise as Paris unfolds its evening magic on the first night of 2026. With live music setting the tone, you'll savor a multi-course French feast, perfectly paired with champagne, as the illuminated landmarks of Paris drift by your window. No rush, no worries — just a leisurely night of indulgence and romance.
To truly kickstart the New Year in style, treat yourself to the Excellence Menu, complete with the finest champagne and prime seating. It's Paris at its most enchanting, and a night you won't soon forget.
At A Glance
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5
⏰ Duration: 8:30pm departure, 2h30 duration
🎵 Entertainment: Live piano and violin duo performing romantic classics
🍷 Wine: Half bottle per person (red or white choice)
🍾 Champagne: Included with Excellence menu
👍 We Recommend: Excellence for champagne, window seating priority & rooftop deck access
Welcome 2026 in Style: New Years Day Lunch Cruise
Start the year on a delicious note with a leisurely lunch cruise along the city's iconic river. As you glide through the heart of Paris, a three-course French feast awaits, created by onboard chefs. The glass-enclosed dining space offers uninterrupted views of the city's most beloved landmarks, sparkling under the winter sun.
Sip your wine, savor the flavors, and soak in the city's charm as it unfolds beyond the river's edge. This is Paris at its best and there's no better way to begin 2026.
Start the Year on Top: Eiffel Tower New Years Day in Paris
The Eiffel Tower never takes a holiday — and that's exactly why it's packed even on January 1. As one of the world's most-visited landmarks, the lines can stretch longer than a Seine sunset. Still, it's hard to imagine a better way to start the year than standing high above Paris, watching the city shimmer below.
To skip the long lines we always choose a guided, reserved-access tour that takes you straight to the summit. It's the easiest way to rise above the crowds — literally — and toast the new year in true Paris style.
At A Glance
⭐ Rating: 4.3/5
⏰ Time: tours from 10:15am to 4:45pm
⏳ Duration: 1h15 guided; unlimited time on the Tower
🎟️ Access: Dedicated Reserved Access to the 2nd floor or Summit
🙎 Details: Professional guided tour with dedicated access
✅ How to Book: Likely to sell out, so book now →
|
|
Trade Paris bustle for royal grandeur on a guided Versailles tour. Skip the lines, wander the gardens, and peek inside Marie Antoinette’s private estate. History never looked this good. |
|
Trade Paris bustle for royal grandeur on a guided Versailles tour. Skip the lines, wander the gardens, and peek inside Marie Antoinette’s private estate. History never looked this good. |
New Years Day 2026 – More Paris Activities
New Years Day Classical Music Concerts
Begin 2026 surrounded by vaulted ceilings and the sound of violins. On New Year's Day, Paris fills its historic churches — La Madeleine, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, and Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés — with the music of Mozart, Vivaldi, and Bach. Candlelight flickers on marble columns as orchestras and soloists perform works made for celebration. There is even a concert on the Eiffel Tower.
It's a moment of serenity and grandeur all at once — the perfect Paris tradition to welcome a new year in harmony and beauty.
Eiffel Tower Dinner, Seine Cruise & Moulin Rouge Show
Start the year with a true Paris celebration with an evening that combines three unforgettable experiences. Dine at the Eiffel Tower with views that sparkle even in winter, then drift along the Seine on a glass-topped bateau as the city's landmarks shimmer against the night sky.
The celebration continues at the Moulin Rouge, where champagne flows and the legendary can-can takes center stage. It's indulgent, glamorous, and unmistakably Paris — the perfect way to mark New Year's Day with a dash of spectacle and a touch of old-world charm.
Wander Through Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
Bundle up and wander through the haunting and beautiful cemetery searching for the final resting spots of Frederic Chopin, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde and of course, Jim Morrison of The Doors. Located in the 20th Arrondissement, the cemetery is free of charge and it's open on New Year's Day. There's also a guided tour we highly recommend that's available on January 1.
Oysters! Oysters! Oysters!
Oysters are an integral part of the culinary landscape of French holiday foods. Head to one of the many large brasseries that will be open on January 1 and tuck into a platter of fresh, Brittany oysters washed down with chilled Sancerre. We've had many a fine meal at various oyster bars but are especially partial to L'Huîtrier at 16 Rue Saussier-Leroy in the 17th Arrondissement, an unassuming, local place with fine oysters.
|
|
Paris Dinner Cruises on the Seine Dine in style as you glide past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre on a magical Seine River cruise. Gourmet food, champagne, and Paris lit up at night – it’s unforgettable. |
|
Paris Dinner Cruises on the Seine Dine in style as you glide past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre on a magical Seine River cruise. Gourmet food, champagne, and Paris lit up at night – it’s unforgettable. |
Paris Museums Open on New Years Day 2026
Musée Jacquemart-Andre
This small, charming museum is open daily from 10:00 to 6:00 including, we assume, January 1, 2026. (Check the museum website for updates.) It's one of our favorite small museums in Paris, with a stunning collection of 17th-century French furniture and Italian paintings.
Musée d'Orsay
According to its own information, Musée d'Orsay is only closed on "Mondays; and May 1 and December 25". So, we went ahead and booked tickets for January 1, 2026. New Year's Day: here we come Manet, Monet & van Gogh!
Musée Montmartre & Renoir Gardens
Explore the former artistic enclave of Paris in the winding streets of Montmartre. The good news is that the Montmartre museum still claims it will be open on New Years Day. (But check the museum website for updates.) The museum is open from 11 AM to 6 PM; tickets include entry to the Renoir Gardens, named for the Impressionist master who lived here in the 1870s. The collection will immerse you in the history of Montmartre and its stormy past
- 12, rue Cortot
- 18th Arrondissement
- Museum Website…
|
|
Browse our hand-picked Paris hotel deals with real-time discounts of up to 20%. Stay in the Marais, Saint Germain, the Latin Quarter, the Left Bank near the Eiffel Tower… every arrondissement is on the list. |
|
Browse our hand-picked Paris hotel deals with real-time discounts of up to 20%. Stay in the Marais, Saint Germain, the Latin Quarter, the Left Bank near the Eiffel Tower… every arrondissement is on the list. |
FAQs – New Years Day in Paris
WHAT IS OPEN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN PARIS?
On New Year's Day in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is open, Musée d'Orsay is open, Musée Jacquemart-André is open, and the Montmartre Museum is open. Seine River dinner cruises operate on January 1, and select restaurants and brasseries serve New Year's Day meals. Père Lachaise Cemetery is also open for visits.
WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN PARIS?
The best things to do on New Year's Day in Paris include taking a Seine River dinner cruise, dining at Madame Brasserie on the Eiffel Tower, visiting open museums like Musée d'Orsay, attending classical concerts and opera performances, exploring Père Lachaise Cemetery, and enjoying fresh oysters at traditional brasseries.
DO I NEED RESERVATIONS FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY ACTIVITIES IN PARIS?
Advance reservations are essential for certain New Year's Day activities. Seine River cruises, Eiffel Tower dining, opera and concert tickets, and popular restaurant reservations should be made well in advance. ideally in November or December, as popular activities sell out quickly. However, a number of bistros open on January 1, the parks are open, and there are even museums to visit.
