French new Year’s Eve Travel: Paris Remains Top Choice, But Lyon Gains Ground for 2026
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As the year draws to a close, travelers are already looking ahead to New Year’s Eve celebrations. A new analysis by airline Icelandair reveals the most popular destinations for French holidaymakers ringing in 2026, with Paris maintaining its position as the top choice, though emerging trends suggest a shift in preferences. the study, which examined search data from TikTok and google, offers valuable insights into travel planning for the upcoming holiday season.
Paris Still Reigns, But Competition is Heating Up
According to the data, Paris is the most sought-after destination for French New Year’s Eve celebrations, attracting over 31,000 searches on Google. The city is closely followed by Prague and Amsterdam, solidifying their positions as perennial favorites. Though, a notable climber in the rankings is Lyon, which secured 8th place, surpassing Copenhagen, strasbourg, and Rome.
“All of these destinations appear to be the most popular and realistic choices for celebrating the New Year,” a company release stated. The rise of Lyon is particularly striking, with searches increasing by 27% – from 10,480 in 2024 to 13,290 in 2025 – and exceeding 13,000 searches overall.
Shifting Travel Trends: A Desire for Inspiration
While established destinations remain popular, the Icelandair analysis reveals a growing interest in less conventional locales. The data suggests french travelers are increasingly seeking “inspiring” destinations, even if they are “sometimes less accessible.” This trend is reflected in notable increases in searches for Reykjavik (+1574%), Copenhagen (+904%), and Tignes (+221%) on Google.
This shift is particularly noticeable when comparing search data between 2024 and 2025. While Paris, Bordeaux, and Toulouse have experienced a decline in interest – with Toulouse seeing a 56% drop in searches – Lyon’s upward trajectory stands out.
TikTok confirms Emerging Preferences
The trend towards Lyon as a desirable New Year’s Eve destination is further reinforced by TikTok data. In 2025, Paris, London, and Lyon were the most searched destinations on the platform. This aligns with recent tourism figures for Lyon, with the city experiencing a 34% increase in overnight stays and a 32% increase in foreign visitors since 2012, as reported by OnlyLyon tourism and the Métropole de lyon last summer.
“A trend that can be heard between Rhône and Saône,” the report noted, highlighting the growing buzz surrounding Lyon as a vibrant and attractive destination for new Year’s Eve.
The Icelandair study provides a compelling snapshot of evolving travel preferences, suggesting that while classic destinations like Paris will continue to draw crowds, a growing number of French travelers are open to exploring new and inspiring locations for their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Why: French travelers are showing a growing desire for “inspiring” destinations,leading to increased interest in cities beyond the conventional favorites.
Who: The study was conducted by Icelandair, analyzing data from Google and tiktok regarding French travelers’ New year’s Eve destination searches.
What: The study reveals Paris remains the top choice for French new Year’s Eve celebrations, but Lyon is rapidly gaining popularity, securing 8th place in searches and experiencing a 27% increase in interest.
How did it end?: The study concludes that while paris will remain a popular destination, a growing number of French travelers are open to exploring choice and inspiring locations for their New Year’s Eve celebrations, with Lyon emerging as a strong
