French security forces are on high alert as the country prepares to see in the New Year, with 10,000 police officers deployed in the Paris region alone to guarantee the safety of residents and tourists, reports FRANCE 24.
Around 600,000 revellers are expected to gather on the French capital's iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysées, for the traditional New Year celebration.
As in other major western cities, security has been tightened in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks that have struck Europe.
The world's most famous avenue will become a no-car zone, protected by concrete blocks, to prevent a repeat of the deadly truck attacks that hit Nice and Berlin this year.
Paris officials said 2,000 security officers and 400 medics would be on standby in nearby streets.