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 October 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-________





     On October 15, 2004,  Sanofi-Aventis (formerly known  as Sanofi-Synthelabo)
published  the  attached  notice   on   its   website  (WWW.SANOFI-AVENTIS.COM),
announcing   that  as  at  Thursday,   October  14,  2004,   18.00  hours  (CET)
Sanofi-Aventis's  mandatory  offer for the shares in Hoechst  Aktiengesellschaft
has been accepted for 26,612 shares in Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft,  representing
less  than  0.01%  of the  share  capital  and  the  voting  rights  of  Hoechst
Aktiengesellschaft.

                                  EXHIBIT LIST

Exhibit No.                       Description
-----------                       -----------
Exhibit 99.1       Notice, dated October 14, 2004, announcing number of Hoechst 
                   shares tendered into mandatory offer by Sanofi-Aventis to the
                   shareholders of Hoechst AG, as of October 14, 2004 at 18:00 
                   hours (CET).





                                   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: October 15, 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       Notice, dated October 14, 2004, announcing number of Hoechst 
                   shares tendered into mandatory offer by Sanofi-Aventis to the
                   shareholders of Hoechst AG, as of October 14, 2004 at 18:00 
                   hours (CET).