The Champs-Élysées is the main Paris avenue associated with New Year’s Eve gatherings around the Arc de Triomphe.
On New Year’s Eve, crowds traditionally gather along the avenue to watch the countdown and see light projections or other official visual displays centered on the Arc de Triomphe. The avenue stretches from the Place de la Concorde toward the Arc de Triomphe and is one of the best-known public spaces in Paris.
Unlike some cities, Paris has not always marked midnight with a large fireworks display from the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower may be illuminated and can appear in celebrations, but the official visual focus has often been the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.
The name comes from the Elysian Fields of Greek mythology, a paradise for heroic or virtuous souls. The avenue is also known for theaters, cafés, luxury shops, and national ceremonies, including the Bastille Day parade.