Paris for New Year

Slipshaney

Thinking of heading to Paris for the New Year - has anyone been over this period and what do they think/recommend?

Blingy

Do you mean for new years eve?

Slipshaney

Hey Blingy -heading over few days in advance (28th maybe) and staying till ~3rd?

Blingy

Slipshaney wrote: »

Hey Blingy -heading over few days in advance (28th maybe) and staying till ~3rd?

It is lovely that time of year however be very careful on new years eve. We were there about 6 yrs ago and were looking forward to the celebrations. Loads of people about the streets and big countdown on the champs élysée. Bottle of cheap champers being sold on street stalls so empty bottles everywhere but everyone was in great spirits.
However on the champs élysée at about 12.30am a riot started. Seemingly this is normal however nobody told us.
Hundreds of young lads racing down the street smashing windows and throwing bottles at everyone. We got caught up in the middle of it. Ran to a doorway of a late club/bar with about 10 other people all banging on the door for them to let us in. They started throwing bottles at the door so the glass was raining down on us. We couldn't run for it cause they were everywhere. It was the most frightening experience of my life. Eventually the club let us in and no one was allowed to leave for the next 3 hours as riot police tried to deal with the problem. Ruined our night/trip/view of paris and I have never been back.
However please don't be put off just be careful. Maybe book into a restaurant/bar/club instead of being on the streets that night. Also I don't know if this has happened since but that night when we got back to the hotel they told us it was normal pity they couldn't advise us before we left for the night!!!

Slipshaney

Thanks Blingy - that sounds like an awful experience alright! Sorry it tainted your view of Paris! We have been once before, but not around New Years, and it was lovely.....but if we do go we will stay away from the Champs Elysee!

To be honest, we are just looking for somewhere different to ring in the new year, so if anywhere else was recommended, we would also look at that!

Blingy

Slipshaney wrote: »

Thanks Blingy - that sounds like an awful experience alright! Sorry it tainted your view of Paris! We have been once before, but not around New Years, and it was lovely.....but if we do go we will stay away from the Champs Elysee!

To be honest, we are just looking for somewhere different to ring in the new year, so if anywhere else was recommended, we would also look at that!

Well it is a lovely city but very expensive around that time too. Edinburgh is great for new years eve but prob wouldn't spend that long there. Also some of those cities that have the winter markets might be a good idea. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Slipshaney

Anyone been to Brussels for new years!?

Lapin

Its a couple of years since I was in Paris for New Years Eve (locally known as, Revellion de Saint-Sylvestre) and a good decade before that again. The difference was noticable. We went to the Champs Elysses the first time and the crowds were unbearable. I wouldn't have described it as a riot but the large groups of drunken partygoers were intimidating in places. Think St Patricks night in Temple Bar on a larger and you get the idea.

We rang in the new year at the Trocedaro last last time. It can get crowded but not as raucous as the Champs Elysses and the views across the river to the Eiffel Tower are magnificent.

The Metro and buses run through the night and are free so they do get very crowded and some Metro stations will close for periods for crowd safety reasons. You are better off walking so it might be a good idea to book somewhere within walking distance of where you want to be on the night.

If I was going again, I'd probably try the Champs de Mars, the wide open park facing the Eiffel Tower or Monmartre for a view over the whole city, although this area might lack the noise and atmosphere of the centre of town.

Paris seems to be phasing out fireworks and replacing them with lightshows beamed on famous landmarks instead. Some years are more spectacular than others depending whether Paris is hosting some major event that year. Its always very good when France hosts the EU Presidency or G8.

Despite my love for Paris, I wouldn't rush beck there for new years eve. I went to London for it two years ago and it was much better, although it was Olympic year there so they were always going to do something extra special that night.

I'd still choose London over Paris though to ring in 2014.

Kittywake

We went to Prague for New Years Eve two years ago and it was fantastic. The Christmas markets were all still set up, we went to the Opera, saw the fireworks show down by the river. The place was really busy and had a great atmosphere. I would definitely recommend it.

Slipshaney

Prague is defo an option too - hadnt thought of that - thanks a million