Celebrating New Year’s Eve in France: the Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre

Saint Sylvestre is a Catholic festival celebrated on the 31^st December in honour of Sylvestre, who was the 33^rd Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

In France, the end of the year and the dawn of a new one is celebrated with good friends and family, plenty of food and drink (including copious amounts of Champagne!) and maybe a few fire-crackers.

While traditionalists offer a full family meal beginning with appetisers, NYE is a time when it is acceptable to part from tradition a little in the food department, and many people opt for a buffet instead. Either way, a good meal on New Year’s Eve is said to bring good luck for the year ahead.

The family table will be exquisitely set with the best crockery, cutlery and glassware and beautifully decorated.

Starters are likely to be seafood followed by a main course of veal, beef, duck or even venison served with one or two vegetable side dishes. The next course is typically salad, followed by a cheese course, and then a dessert. Yule log is traditional and comes in many guises and flavours. For example, an ice cream Buche de Noel, is a popular alternative.

Sending cards

Christmas cards and cards of any nature, we have found, are not a ‘thing’ here in rural France, with the one exception of the New Year’s Card. We always receive lovely cards and wishes from our neighbours at this time.

The President’s Address

At 8pm on New Year’s Eve, similarly to the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day in the UK, it is tradition for many French families to watch the President’s address to the nation. Also, the televised celebrations at the Champs Elysees and the display of the illuminated Eiffel Tower and fireworks at midnight.

NYE Fireworks

Fireworks are very difficult to source here in the beautiful Charente, and normally, it is polite and appropriate to seek permission from your Maire (if you do manage to find any on sale!) For example, living rurally, there are animals as well as residents to consider. Organised displays are readily available with our nearest being fifteen minutes away.

Kissing under the Mistletoe

Prepare yourself for many bises on your cheeks at midnight! It is also French tradition to kiss under the mistletoe on Saint Sylvestre.

You could celebrate in style at one of the many organised events and parties local to you, too. Whatever you do, here’s wishing you a very Happy New Year and Meilleurs Voeux pour 2024!