New Year's Eve is known in France as Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre.
The expression combines “réveillon,” a late-night festive meal or gathering, with Saint Sylvester's Day, the feast day observed on December 31 in the Western Christian calendar. In France, the evening is commonly marked by a meal with family or friends, and celebrations may continue past midnight into New Year's Day.
French celebrations can include champagne, special dishes, music, and public gatherings. Paris has often been a focus of national and international attention, although customs differ widely between households and regions. The phrase does not describe one mandatory national ceremony.
The name can cause confusion because “Saint-Sylvestre” is also used for December 31 in other French-speaking contexts. In France, it is the customary name for the evening celebration, while “le Jour de l'An” refers to New Year's Day itself.