The francophile’s guide to Christmas & NYE in NYC

In New York City, one is never lacking in things to do. There are new parties to attend and places to eat and drink any time of the year.

When Christmas and the New Year roll around there are so many choices, it’s hard to even know where to start planning what to do with your holidays. For francophiles and French expats looking to add a little French flair to their plans, there are a definitely a few options worth looking into.

A very French Christmas

On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, restaurants in New York are still open and are big fans of the prix fixe menu. For francophiles looking for a good French meal without a hefty price tag to celebrate Christmas, look no further than the family of restaurants run by the Tour de France restaurant group.

Tour de France offers New Yorkers and its tourists a gastronomic tour of France right on the island of Manhattan, with eight restaurants in different locations throughout the city, each focusing on a different region of French cuisine. Francophiles can choose between the cuisine of Alsace (pictured above) on the Upper East Side, a Lyon-inspired bouchon Downtown, a Paris bistro Uptown, a brasserie in Midtown, or restaurants focusing on the cuisine of Brittany and the south of France.

Even better? Three of the restaurants are open 24 hours a day so if you find yourself waiting up for Santa on Christmas Eve in need of a good glass of French wine and some cheese, the doors are open and the staff is more than welcoming. A couple of the prix fixe menus available at the Tour de France locations are Nice Matin on West 79th Street and Marseille on 9th Avenue.

A francophile’s New Year’s Eve

The best New Year’s Eve party à la française in New York City is thrown by French Culture Nights and promises to be a great party for any French-loving New Yorker.

Since 2009, French Culture Nights have held monthly spotlights on the people and artists that make French life in the Big Apple so unique. On New Year’s Eve they take it to a whole new level. There will be a DJ, two dance floors, an open bar from 9pm to 1am, hors d’oeuvres, a heated terrace, and a direct view of  the world famous Times Square ball drop. All this combined with a French culture theme and a wonderful array of New York French expats and francophiles to meet and share your passion for all things French.

All guests must be 18 and over (16 and over with an accompanying parent) and the dress code is your New Year’s Eve Best, i.e. trendy attire (no jeans, no sneakers, jacket required for men). Admission tickets start at $195, with many options available. Tickets are limited and can be purchased here.