Overview
- At 23:30, the Association Antoine Alléno, supported by the City of Paris, projected “2036” and warning messages onto the Arc de Triomphe to highlight new ‘homicide routier’ penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment adopted in July 2025.
- Hundreds of thousands gathered on the Champs‑Élysées for fireworks and projections, with reporting of about 10,000 police and gendarmes deployed in Paris.
- A first provisional tally reported nearly 100 arrests across France during New Year’s night incidents, including at least 80 cars burned in Strasbourg, with figures expected to be updated.
- In his New Year remarks, Macron called for a “useful” 2026 and urged parliament to reach agreements to secure a national budget.
- Public sentiment remained downbeat entering 2026, with an Ipsos poll finding six in ten expect the year to be worse than 2025 and 85% judging 2025 a bad year for France.