What name is commonly given to New Year's Eve in France?

New Year's Eve in France is commonly called Saint-Sylvestre.

The name refers to Saint Sylvester's feast day, which falls on December 31 in the Western Christian calendar. In French, the evening may be called le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre, while the celebration itself is often simply described as le réveillon. The term can refer to the festive meal as well as the night of celebration.

French households and restaurants may mark the occasion with an elaborate dinner featuring regional foods, desserts, sparkling wine, and social gatherings. In Paris, celebrations have often centered on public landmarks such as the Champs-Élysées or the Eiffel Tower, although official programs and crowd arrangements vary from year to year.

Saint-Sylvestre is not the same as Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6 in France and is associated with galette des rois. Nor is it Bastille Day, France's national holiday on July 14. The name remains common even among people celebrating in a secular way.