Paris on New Years Day

If you are thinking of museums, most are closed on January 1, but you can check the websites of the various museums and other sites you may be interested in.

Eiffel Tower is open; Seine Cruises are running; churches are open; Jacquemart Andre and Pompidou museums are open. Parks and cemeteries like Pere Lachaise are open during the day and plenty of cafes and restaurants and such although many will be closed of course. Street markets that are normally open on that day will run as usual and market streets will generally be open in the morning (the way they are on Sunday)

It is a good day for getting a 'Paris Walks' type book with neighborhood walks. I would recommend the graffiti walk in the 19th and 20th. The URL for it is in this post: http://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/graffitti-street-art-vandalism/

While much closes down on the first; there is plenty to do and you can reserve your boat trip or some of your neighborhood walks for that day.

Tough weather for doing things outdoors, walking outside, along the Seine.
Plenty to do inside in Paris, except there may be many closures on New Years Day.

actually the weather's not so bad . . . it's cooooooold (right around/below freezing) but sunny and clear, with only 10% chance of precipitation currently cited as a possibility for New Year's Day. Not bad for strolling IF you're bundled up!!