In Paris, as in the rest of France, the New Year, or "St. Sylvestre", starts January 1st and ends February 1st. French people start wishing each other cheerful Bonne Annees and exchanging bises (small kisses on each cheek) at the stroke of midnight January 1st, and mailboxes are flooded with greeting cards and gifts throughout the month. So don't be surprised if you hear wishes for the new year throughout January-- and feel free to return them!

Champagne or sparkling white wine (know the difference in Paris!) is the drink of choice on New Year's Eve in Paris. Vin chaud (hot wine) and cider are other favorites. Of course, if you're celebrating the New Year at a restaurant or party, plenty of non-alcoholic drinks are available at most spots.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no "rule" on how to dress for a major event like New Year's Eve in Paris, and while the city counts a greater-than-average number of impeccably-dressed fashionistas, plenty of others hit the town in jeans and warm sweaters to enjoy the New Year. Do make sure you follow any dress codes for individual restaurants, New Year's parties, or other events, though-- it's not unusual for higher-end venues to apply stringent dress codes against sneakers, jeans, or t-shirts at the door.

Major Spots to Celebrate: The Champs-Elysees is the place to head if you want to be at the center of the party. Starting at around 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve, people start to flock to the famous street, often bringing along bottles and plastic flutes. From many places on the Champs-Elysees, you can get a good view of the Eiffel Tower, which explodes into a sparkling dance of light at the stroke of midnight. Major fireworks displays can usually be seen from the Champs-Elysees, and there are plenty of spots to go dancing or dining before or after midnight in the area. Although the ambiance here is usually "bon enfant" (literally-- "good child", or harmless), celebrating on the Champs-Elysees calls for you to be especially aware of your personal belongings, as pickpocketing is common in large crowds. Also, this won't be the party of choice for you if you're claustrophobic or crowd-shy.

The Sacre Coeur Cathedral plaza in  Montmartre is another favorite, and significantly calmer, place to bid farewell to the current year. Assuming the skies are relatively clear, the top of the hill offer spectacular views of the entire Paris skyline, so you're sure to see any fireworks being launched around Paris. While still crowded, the Montmartre street party is more laid-back than its Champs-Elysees counterpart, and there are plenty of bars, cabarets, and clubs to explore in Montmartre and nearby Pigalle.