5 places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Paris

One of the world’s most beautiful and iconic avenues will light up for New Year’s Eve! Crowds gather in a festive atmosphere for a magnificent sound and light show (‘son et lumière’) on the Champs-Élysées on 31 December. This year’s programme is themed around fraternity, with images projected onto the Arc de Triomphe plus music and fireworks. It’s set to be a truly memorable spectacle.

Looking for something unusual? Just by the Eiffel Tower in the Trocadéro gardens, Paris’ aquarium is a magical setting to see in the New Year – you’ll party the night away with tropical fish, leopard stingrays and even sharks as dance partners. It’s a must for trendy club-goers, with a capacity of 1,500 and music till 5am.

Love jazz and swing? La Bellevilloise will see in the New Year in its loft space, to the strains of Paris group Jacks’&’Jills Swing Band. Enjoy classic tunes from the golden era of swing as well as more recent compositions, which will have everyone on the dancefloor. The Caloé Swing Band trio, with jazz singer Caloé and saxophonist Frank Wolf, will also be jamming.

The ‘Totally Crazy’ show at the mythical Crazy Horse cabaret is a great way to celebrate New Year. Sip champagne and enjoy the sublime costumes, special effects and lighting, with the last performance starting at 1am on 1 January to ensure entertainment sees you right through to the wee hours. It’s just a few steps away from the Champs-Élysées.

The Grand Palais will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the New Year festivities. The largest skating rink ever created in France will be open all day, providing a memorable experience beneath its vast glass roof. Social areas around the ice rink enable everyone to enjoy the shows and displays that make up this magical extravaganza.

National Express coaches operate from London Victoria coach station to Bercy in central Paris:

• From £12 one way until the 19th December and after 6th January 2019
• From £35 one way from 19th December until 6th January 2019

Book your journey with National Express (External link)