Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is le réveillon. This word has long caused confusion among my students, as it can refer to both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners. Why is the same word used for both, and how do the French avoid confusion? Keep reading — you’ll love Marie’s audio examples today!
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
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📘 Réveillon meaning in French
Réveillon (m.) in French refers to the special late-night meal and celebration held on Christmas Eve (le réveillon de Noël) and New Year’s Eve (le réveillon du Nouvel An). The word comes from réveil (being awake), since both celebrations involve staying up late for a special occasion, often until or past midnight. In practice, the French avoid confusion by specifying the date or saying le réveillon de Noël or le réveillon du Nouvel An when needed.
A réveillon is not just dinner but a long, festive gathering with family or friends, centered around rich food and celebration. Typical dishes include oysters, foie gras, lobster, and champagne, with the bûche de Noël especially associated with Christmas Eve. Families often attend midnight mass (la messe de minuit) after Christmas Eve dinner, while New Year’s Eve focuses on the midnight countdown and exchanging wishes like bonne année (happy new year).
🎧 Réveillon pronunciation in French
The pronunciation of réveillon is /ʁe.vɛ.jɔ̃/ (IPA), which sounds roughly like “ray-vay-YON.”
📝 Réveillon examples & usage
Le réveillon de Noël est le grand repas du 24 décembre.
Christmas Eve dinner is the big meal on December 24.
Nous faisons le réveillon du Nouvel An chez des amis.
We are celebrating New Year’s Eve at some friends’ place.
Ils préparent le réveillon avec de la dinde et une bûche de Noël.
They are preparing the holiday meal with turkey and a Yule log cake.
Elle passe le réveillon en famille cette année.
She is spending the holiday evening with her family this year.
Here are some more lessons you’ll enjoy associated with le réveillon:
👉 Noël — Christmas »
👉 bûche de Noël — yule log »
👉 huîtres — oysters »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- le réveillon de Noël — Christmas Eve dinner
- le réveillon du Nouvel An — New Year’s Eve dinner
- le dîner du réveillon — the holiday evening meal
- faire le réveillon — to celebrate with a special holiday meal
- passer le réveillon — to spend the holiday evening
- le repas de fête — festive meal
- le repas de famille — family meal
- le repas de fin d’année — end-of-year meal
- la veille de Noël — Christmas Eve
- la veille du Nouvel An — New Year’s Eve
📚 Related lessons on FrenchLearner!
👉 Noël — Christmas »
👉 bûche de Noël — yule log »
👉 huîtres — oysters »
🚀 Continue learning French online on FrenchLearner!
👉 French Word of the Day »
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👉 French for beginners guide »
👉 French song lyrics hub »
👉 French conjugations hub »
❓ Réveillon — Common Questions
What is a réveillon in French?
In French, réveillon means a special late-night holiday meal and celebration, held on Christmas Eve (le réveillon de Noël) and New Year’s Eve (le réveillon du Nouvel An).
What is the meaning behind réveillon?
The word comes from réveil (being awake) and reflects the tradition of staying up late, often past midnight, to celebrate these occasions.
How to do the French celebrate Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve?
In France, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are celebrated with a réveillon, a long festive meal shared with family or friends. Christmas Eve often includes a special dinner followed by midnight mass (la messe de minuit), while New Year’s Eve focuses on staying up late, counting down to midnight, and exchanging “Happy New Year” (bonne année) wishes.
