UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                        PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                               ------------------
                         For the month of December 2004

                        Commission File Number: 001-31368

                                 SANOFI-AVENTIS
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                   174, avenue de France, 75013 Paris, FRANCE
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                  Form 20-F  [X]      Form 40-F  [ ]

     Indicate  by check mark if the  registrant  is  submitting  the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): _____

     Indicate  by check mark if the  registrant  is  submitting  the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): _____

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained  in this  Form is  also  thereby  furnishing  the  information  to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                  Yes  [ ]                   No  [X]

     If "Yes" marked,  indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________

This Report on Form 6-K shall be deemed to be  incorporated  by  reference  into
Sanofi-Aventis' (formerly known as Sanofi-Synthelabo)  Registration Statement on
Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-112314), as post-effectively amended and declared
effective  on  November  10,  2004  by the  United  States  Securities  Exchange
Commission, and the related prospectus,  dated November 10, 2004, filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the United States  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and
shall be part thereof from the date on which this Report is filed, to the extent
not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.






     On December 22, 2004,  Sanofi-Aventis (formerly known as Sanofi-Synthelabo)
issued the press release  attached  hereto as Exhibit 99.1 which is incorporated
herein by reference.

                                  EXHIBIT LIST

Exhibit No.                          Description
-----------                          -----------   
Exhibit 99.1     Press Release, dated December 22, 2004, announcing
                 reorganization of short-term financing.







                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


Dated: December 22, 2004                  SANOFI-AVENTIS


                                          By:  /s/ Jean-Claude Leroy            
                                               -------------------------------
                                             Name:   Jean-Claude Leroy
                                             Title:  Senior Vice President &
                                                       Chief Financial Officer






                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                          Description
-----------                          -----------
Exhibit 99.1     Press Release, dated December 22, 2004, announcing
                 reorganization of short-term financing.