The Place: Paris

The Crowd: Euro-trash, Euro-bourgeoisie, Euro-wannabes, and in-the-know Americans glowing in the wake of President Sarkozy's "Bienvenue Yankees" hospitality.

Celebrate Christmas: A lovely little tradition awaits you at Le Meurice Restaurant, in the hotel of the same name (fans include Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani, and Sting). The poulet à la bouteille includes foie gras, truffles, and a terrine of chicken marinated inside a glass bottle. When it's time to eat, simply remove the glass bottle, et voilà! Cost: $115. Beware of shards.

Celebrate New Year's: The hoi polloi watch the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower or on the Champs. The rich stay indoors. The Plaza Athénée—a favorite of Wyclef Jean, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Penélope Cruz—throws a big to-do in its Le Relais Plaza restaurant. Lots of elite Parisians munching on pan-fried venison. It'll run you $820 avec Champagne and wine, or a mere $620 if you're on the wagon.

Stay in style: Nicolas Sarkozy celebrated his victory night at the Hôtel Fouquet's Barrière, a 107-room, one-year-old hotel located smack in the intersection of the Champs-élysées and Avenue George V. We hear the 24-hour private butler service is quite nice.

Le Meurice
Tel: 33 1 44 58 10 10

Plaza Athénée
Tel: 800 650 1842

Hôtel Fouquet's Barrière
Tel: 800 223 6800
Doubles from $996