New Years Eve in Paris to mark the end of 2011 and start of 2012 will be marked by a spectacular firework display on the Eiffel Tower, as well as the usual festivities and street party on the Champs Elysees. The French call New Year's Eve "la Saint-Sylvestre". It is usually celebrated with a feast called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (also called Cap d'Any in Northern Catalonia). This feast customarily includes special dishes like foie gras , seafood such as oysters and drinks like champagne. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and family or a much fancier ball (une soirée dansante).
On le Jour de l'An (New Year's Day), friends and family exchange New Year's resolutions kisses and wishes, the main ones being "Bonne Année", Bonheur, Sante, Amour, Argent ("Good Year", Happiness, Health, Love and Money). Some people eat desserts made of ice cream
The holiday period ends on January 6 (The Twelfth Night)for the Epiphany , or Jour des Rois. On this day, they celebrate the Wise Men, eating a traditional type of flat pastry cake, la galette des rois, most often two sheets of puff pastry, filled with frangipane (almond paste). The cake contains a fève, small china character, that whoever finds becomes king or queen and get to wear a gold paper crown, then chose their partner. This tradition can last up to weeks.When the clock strikes midnight, you can catch a good view of the Eiffel Tower's exploding pyrotechnic display. Just be prepared for the fireworks going off around you too. In Paris, it is legal to buy and sell fireworks, and youths throughout the city like to set them off everywhere, sometimes even in the metro stations. Along or near Champs-Elysees, there are a good amount of spots where you can dine or dance for New Years in Paris.
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