These are well-known Paris establishments, that don't rely solely on the trade they do on two nights. While Christmas Eve may be a bit more restrained, all the corks pop for New Years Eve. At least, this is the theory. Maybe, in Paris, it is the law. Also included below is a list of "Big Shows" and "You Only Live Once" sorts of dining experiences. Simply scroll down the page to find these

The list presented below is far from complete. There are 200 places not on it. It's main function is to give you a wide choice, from simple to fancy, from reasonably-priced to extravagant.

Christmas Eve

The Peniche Métamorphosis - is unusual because it offers a show for kids, and special menus for kids, for both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. For the first evening, the dinner and show is 45€ for the kids and 90€ for adults. For New Years it will be 75€ for the kids and 145€ for adults. The Métamorphosis is moored opposite 7. Quai Malaquais, Paris 6. This is probably close to the Pont des Arts. Métros: Pont-Neuf or Saint-Germain-des-Prés. InfoTel.: 01 43 54 08 08. ResaFax.: 01 43 54 09 08.

Café Drouant - the fixed menu in this fish restaurant for New Years Eve is 70€ or 180€, and it is closed on the evening of Christmas Day. The Café Drouant, 16-18. Place Gaillon, Paris 2. Métro: Quatre-Septembre. InfoTel.: 01 42 65 15 16. ResaFax.: 01 49 24 02 15.

Chez Jenny - is an Alsacian-style brasserie, which might mean its portions are, well, Alsacian. Sans frou-frou, expect a meal to cost around 40€. At Chez Jenny, 39. Boulevard du Temple, Paris 3. Métro: Oberkampf, République or Filles-du-Calvaire. InfoTel.: 01 44 54 39 00. ResaFax.: 01 44 54 39 09.

Au Pied de Cochon - this famous Les Halles restaurant maintains its traditional 'menu' of about 50€, but you can add anything extra to it. Au Pied de Cochon, 6. Rue Coquillière, Paris 1. Métro: Louvre-Rivoli or Châtelet. InfoTel.: 01 40 13 77 00. ResaFax.: 01 40 13 77 09.

La Crémaillère 1900 - right on top of Montmartre, the Crémaillère has a piano waiting for you on Christmas Eve, for 60€, which includes wines. For New Years Eve there will be a more elaborate menu and spectacle too, so expect to pay 160€. La Crémaillère 1900, 15. Place du Tertre, Paris 18. Métro: Abbesses. InfoTel.: 01 46 06 58 59. ResaFax.: 01 42 64 08 57.

Le Grand Café - is a 'grand' brasserie on the 'Grands Boulevards,' with a few extras added to its usual à la carte menu of 50€. Le Grand Café, 4. Boulevard des Capucines, Paris 9. Métro: Opéra. InfoTel.: 01 43 12 19 00. ResaFax.: 01 43 12 19 09.

La Taverne - is another 'grand' brasserie on the 'Grands Boulevards.' With entertainment on New Years Eve, its gala menu with flowing Champagne will cost you 180€. La Taverne, 24. Boulevard des Italiens, Paris 9. Métro: Richelieu-Drouot. InfoTel.: 01 55 33 10 00. ResaFax.: 01 55 33 10 09.

Charlot, le Roi des Coquillages - for seafood and oyster fanciers, an average menu is about 70€. If you go for the lobster, washed down with gallons of Champagne, it might be a bit more. At Charlot, 12. Place de Clichy, Paris 9. Métro: Place de Clichy. InfoTel.: 01 53 20 48 00. ResaFax.: 01 53 20 48 09.

L'Alsace - in addition to passing either Christmas Eve or New Years Eve on the Champs-Elysées, you can do it for about 70€. Another plus point here is the take-out service that operates 24 hours a day. At L'Alsace, 39. Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris 8. Métro: Etoile. InfoTel.: 01 53 93 97 00. ResaFax.: 01 53 93 97 09.

Le Fouquet's - is a prime show-biz hangout, frequented by French stars in disguise. For the season there is a 99€ menu with drinks included for both Christmas Eve and the day after. For New Years Eve this rate hops up to 210€, with drinks also included. Le Fouquet's, 99. Avenue des Champs- Elysées, Paris 8. Métro: George V. InfoTel.: 01 47 23 50 00. ResaFax.: 01 47 23 50 55.

Two Menus

Chez Clément - has eight locations in Paris, all of which will be offering a Christmas Eve 'menu,' in addition to the 'à la carte' for about 34€, drinks not included. The gala New Years Eve menu is 120€, and includes a cocktail to get you warmed up and Champagne thereafter. There will also be some entertainment offered at all Chez Clément locations. In Montparnasse, at 106. Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris 14. Métro: Vavin. InfoTel.: 01 44 10 54 00. ResaFax.: 01 44 10 54 09.

Chez Clément's New Years Menu

Le Ciel de Paris is on a top floor of Paris' only ultra highrise, and has the best view of the Tour Eiffel, even if there are no New Years Eve fireworks. The menu for Christmas Eve costs 90€, without drinks. For New Years Eve there is live music and dancing, plus the following menu for 280€, drinks included. Le Ciel de Paris, Tour Maine Montparnasse, 33. Avenue du Maine, Paris 15. Métro: Montparnasse. InfoTel.: 01 40 64 77 64. ResaFax.: 01 43 22 58 43.

Le Ciel de Paris' New Years Menu

New Years Eve

Le Procope - is Paris' oldest café, dating to 1686. It proposes, in a three-century old 'révolutionary' atmosphere, to carry you into the 'Grand Siècle.' An evening of seven-course dining and dancing with all the Champagne you desire, for 200€. At Le Procope, 13. Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, Paris 6. Métro: Odéon. InfoTel.: 01 40 46 79 00. ResaFax.: 01 40 46 79 09.

L'Arbuci - a DJ will provide the music here until late, while a four-course menu will help keep you going. This includes a glass of Champagne, and a half-bottle of Bordeaux per person. About 150€. At L'Arbuci, 25. Rue de Buci, Paris 6. Métro: Odéon. InfoTel.: 01 44 32 16 00. ResaFax.: 01 44 32 16 09.

Le Petit Zinc - is a German-style brasserie that offers DJ music for dancing, after a gala menu accompanied with classy Champagne. The seven courses will set you back 190€ Le Petit Zinc, 11. Rue Saint Benoit, Paris 6. Métro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés. No Web, no email. InfoTel.: 01 42 86 61 00. ResaFax.: 01 42 86 61 09.

Gallopin - since 1876, a well-known brasserie that offers gala menus for Christmas Eve for 45€ and for New Years Eve, for 74€. At Gallopin, 40. Rue Rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Paris 2. Métro: Bourse. InfoTel.: 01 42 36 45 38. ResaFax.: 01 42 36 10 32.

La Coupole - is a historic monument, like some others on this list, but it still parties on. Like all other restaurants of the Flo Group, La Coupole has a simple menu, starting at 49€. Unlike some of the others in the Flo Group, La Coupole has a built-in dance floor. La Coupole, at 102. Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris 14. Métro: Vavin. InfoTel.: 01 43 20 14 20.

La Fermette Marbeuf - this 19th century-style 'fermette' is offering a menu of 200€ for New Years Eve, with gypsy musicians - to add up to an unique 'Belle Epoque' gala evening. At La Fermette Marbeuf, 5. Rue Marbeuf, Paris 8. Métro: Alma-Marceau. InfoTel.: 01 53 23 08 00. ResaFax.: 01 53 23 08 09.

La Brasserie Lorraine - this famous brasserie is limiting its places available for New Years Eve to allow more room for dining and dancing with live music. Gala menu with flowing Champagne for 190€. At La Brasserie Lorraine, 2. Place des Ternes, Paris 8. Métro: Ternes. InfoTel.: 01 56 21 22 00. ResaFax.: 01 56 21 22 09.

Big Shows

Le Moulin Rouge - is a cabaret with a big, big Paris show, and a red windmill outside. For Christmas Eve it offers a multi-course meal starting with a Kir Royal and continuing with a half bottle of Champagne, for 145€. For New Years Eve it all gets more elaborate, for 480€ per person. Le Moulin Rouge, at 82. Boulevard de Clichy, Paris 18. Métro: Blanche. InfoTel.: 01 53 09 82 82. ResaFax.: 01 42 23 02 00.

Le Lido - 60 dancers, 600 skimpy 'costumes,' a gala dinner and self-dancing are on the program for New Years Eve. Price of 530€ per person includes a bottle of Champagne. You only live once. Le Lido, 116. Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris 8. Métro: George V. InfoTel.: 01 40 76 56 10. ResaFax.: 01 45 61 19 41.

La Belle Epoque - is a cabaret with a show called 'La Vie est Belle,' which includes some 'French' can-can, for older folks. Before this starts at 22:30 there is a dinner, with drinks included. The 'note' for Christmas Eve is 120€, and 250€ for New Years Eve. At La Belle Epoque, 36. Rue des Petits-Champs, Paris 2. Métro: Pyramides. InfoTel.: 01 42 96 33 33. ResaFax.: 01 49 27 03 42.

There are at least 20 other cabarets offering big, or not so big shows. If the Lido seems too stratospheric, less can be had for less. For example, the Bistrot de la Gaîté is charging 99€ for New Years Eve, with singing and music. At 20. Rue de la Gaîté, Paris 14. Métro: Gaîté. InfoTel.: 01 43 22 86 46.
Another is the Le Club des Poèts, which has live poetry for New Years Eve. Along with a modest dinner, the tab will be 100€ if you don't go wild with the Champagne. At 30. Rue de Bourgogne, Paris 7. Métro: Varenne or Assemblée Nationale. InfoTel.: 01 47 05 06 03.

"You Only Live Once"

Hôtel Le Meurice - for Christmas Eve, the dinner is served in the Jardin d'Hiver, for 150€, or 120€ on Christmas Day. For New Years Eve, in the Jardin d'Hiver the tab will be about 300€. You can also chose the fancy restaurant, with dancing afterwards in the Jardin d'Hiver, for 650€. At Le Meurice, 228. Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1. Métro: Tuileries. InfoTel.: 01 44 58 10 55.

Hôtel Le Crillon - has two very elaborate restaurants, L'Obélisque and Les Ambassadeurs, which are serving very elaborate gala dinners from 275€ and up. Try Le Crillon, at 10. Place de la Concorde, Paris 8. Métro: Concorde. InfoTel.: 01 44 71 15 49.

Le Train Bleu - is located in the Gare de Lyon, and is pretty classy if you like 19th century train-styles of life. For New Years Eve, with Champagne, wine and music - Gospel singers - the bill will be about 230€. At Le Train Bleu, in the Gare de Lyon, Paris 12. Métro: Gare de Lyon. InfoTel.: 01 44 75 76 76.

Le Relais Plaza - this hotel is offering a Christmas Eve menu for 165€ with drinks extra. On New Years Eve, with an orchestra and dancing, the price rises to 295€. Le Relais Plaza, 17. Avenue Kléber, Paris 16. Métro: Kléber. InfoTel.: 01 53 64 32 00. ResaFax.: 01 53 64 32 01.