Réveillon is the French name for the New Year's Eve celebration and the associated festive meal. The term can describe the evening gathering itself, the late-night supper, or both, depending on context.
A réveillon is traditionally an extended meal shared with family or friends. Menus vary by region and household but may include oysters, foie gras, seafood, poultry, pastries, and Champagne. The word is also used for the Christmas Eve meal, making the New Year's context important when interpreting it.
The term comes from the French verb réveiller, meaning “to awaken.” Historically, the meal was associated with staying awake late into the night. Réveillon is therefore not the name of one specific dish or national menu; it describes a celebratory late-night occasion whose foods and customs differ across France and French-speaking communities.