The French New Year's Eve meal or celebration traditionally associated with midnight is called a réveillon.
In French usage, réveillon is a late, festive meal held on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. The word comes from réveil, meaning “awakening,” reflecting the fact that the meal was associated with staying awake late into the night. A New Year's réveillon may include multiple courses, Champagne, seafood, and other celebratory foods, although menus vary widely.
The term is also used beyond France, particularly in French-speaking communities and in Brazil, where Réveillon commonly names large New Year's Eve celebrations. This international use can make the word seem like the name of one particular festival, but its core meaning is a late-night festive gathering or meal.
A réveillon is therefore different from a standard midnight toast. The meal may begin well before midnight and continue afterward as part of a longer social celebration.