noon
There is an exception to this rule : Certain unfortunate individuals are obliged to rise at day-break , don their best clothes , their uniforms and make their way to the four corners of the town to pay ceremonial calls . These are the Government officials representing the army , the magistracy , the parliament , the municipality -- all must pay their respects to their chiefs . For this hardship they receive little sympathy , as it is generally understood that while they have to work hard on New Year 's Day , they do nothing for the rest of the year . The somnolence of Paris , however , only extends until noon . At that hour life begins again . It is luncheon time . This New Year 's Day differed in no wise from others , and during the afternoon the streets were thronged with people .