Wondering if the French celebrate Halloween?
Do the French celebrate Halloween or do they see it as a commercialised American event?
Well, I’ve lived in France for nearly 7 years now and as a British Expat, I not only Celebrate Halloween but Bonfire night as well. Good old Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder plot.
But the question is do I get to enjoy either of those events here in my new life in rural France?
All will be revealed in this article and I’ll even share the all essential French words for the ultimate Halloween celebration.
Do the French celebrate Halloween?
No the French don’t celebrate Halloween in the same way we do. Even though Halloween has Celtic roots, it isn’t a traditional holiday. Instead, the French celebrate La Toussaint, All Saints Day, on November 1st.
The History of Halloween in France
The roots of Halloween stretch back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
This was a time when the Celts, who lived across what is now Ireland, the UK, and Northern France, celebrated their New Year on November 1st.
Samhain night, October 31st, marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of a dark, cold winter—a time associated with death.
The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, and the dead would return to cause chaos. Quite the party, right?
Fast forward to the arrival of Christianity in the Celtic lands. The religious leaders sought to replace the pagan Samhain festival with a church-sanctioned holiday.
Enter All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day—a day dedicated to honouring all the saints.
The night before the holy day, which was the night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All Hallows’ Eve, and eventually, Halloween.
When did France start to acknowledge Halloween?
Now, while Halloween may derive its origins from the Celtic lands, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that it began to make its mark in France.
The main autumnal celebration had always been All Saints’ Day, known as “La Toussaint” in French.
This is a deeply respected public holiday when people visit cemeteries to honour their deceased loved ones, decorating graves with chrysanthemums—the flowers of the dead.
Quite a contrast to our pumpkin carving and candy corn eating, right?
So, how did France come to embrace the skeletons and pumpkins of Halloween?
The answer lies in the 1990s when businesses, particularly in the retail and tourism sectors, saw an opportunity to promote the holiday. Despite initial resistance, Halloween has gained popularity in France, especially in major cities like Paris.
Today, you can see Halloween decorations in shop windows, parties in clubs, and children trick-or-treating in some neighbourhoods, although not in the rural areas.
Halloween Traditions and Events in France
Whilst the French don’t embrace Halloween in the way they embrace other celebrations there are still some rather interesting traditions surrounding it.
The French Halloween Tradition of Jack o’ Lantern
This age-old story originates from an Irish myth about a man named Jack who tricked the Devil not just once but several times.
After his death, Jack was denied entry to both heaven and hell. The Devil, still nursing a grudge, gave Jack a burning coal to light his way in the darkness, which Jack placed inside a carved-out turnip.
Condemned to walk aimlessly around for eternity Jack appears once a year on the day of his death, Halloween.
This story travelled with the Irish to America, where pumpkins were more plentiful than turnips.
Hence, the tradition of carving pumpkins, known as Jack o’ Lanterns, was born!
Now, what’s its connection to Halloween in France? Well, as Halloween gained popularity in France, so did the tradition of carving Jack o’ Lanterns.
The French, being the artists they are, embraced this practice, turning it into an expression of art and creativity.
Now, during Halloween, you can see beautifully carved pumpkins adorning windows and balconies, lighting up the faces of children and adults alike.
Yet another brilliant example of how the French have adopted and adapted a foreign tradition, making it distinctly their own.
Carving a Beet in Lorraine in France (Nuit des betteraves grimaçantes)
Now, brace yourself for another intriguing tale of Halloween tradition this time from the region of Lorraine in France.
Unlike the rest of the country, people here have a unique tradition that’s all about embracing their cultural roots.
Meet the “Betterave Grimaçante” or the “Grimacing Beet”!In Lorraine, locals replace the humble pumpkin with an equally humble beet!
Yes, you heard it right. Carving beets is a centuries-old tradition in this region.
Before the introduction of pumpkins to Europe, children would hollow out beets, carve terrifying faces into them, and place a lump of coal or a candle inside.
They would then roam the streets with these ‘grimaçantes’ or ‘grimacing’ beets to ward off evil spirits.
And even today, in the spirit of preserving this age-old tradition, many families in Lorraine still prefer carving beets over pumpkins for Halloween.
So, if you ever happen to visit Lorraine during Halloween, don’t be surprised to see these fabulously eerie grimacing beets casting their glow across the streets.
It’s a fantastic spectacle that truly captures the region’s deep-rooted culture and love for tradition.
The Annual Witch Festivals (Fête des Sorcières)
Every year, throngs of people gather in the towns of Chalindrey and Malain for a day of witch-themed festivities.
The event is filled with witch hunts, parades, chilling ghost stories, and even intriguing witch trials that truly transport you back to the era of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The highlight, of course, is the parade, where people of all ages come dressed as witches – complete with pointy hats and broomsticks and roam the streets to create a wonderfully eerie atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun!
But as with most things in France, there is a legend behind the celebration. Once upon a time, the natives of the Langres region lived in fear of a devilish entity, known as the Foulletot.
Legend has it, this devilish being resided on Cognelot hill, garbed in fiery red attire, presiding over the gatherings of witches and magicians who journeyed from different neighbouring villages.
In Chalindrey, like other areas in Langres, an intense battle was fought against this supposed sorcerer.
A resident, Clément Rabiet, was condemned as a magician and met his end in 1598, after claiming to have encountered the devil himself. This infamous trial marked a significant chapter in Chalindrey’s history, earning it the moniker of the Land of the Sorcerers.
The “Witches’ Festival,” is a tribute to Chalindrey’s historical past.
Halloween parade in Limoges
A little nearer to home for me is the Halloween parade in Limoges, in the Haute Vienne which has been happening since 1996.
As you’d expect the parade includes witches, ghouls, goblins and a variety of spooky creatures and is great fun.
It attracts between 30,000 – 40,000 visitors each year and many of the local shops and restaurants join in, dressing up for the occasion.
Celebrating Halloween in Paris
Not to be outdone by Limoges, Paris also celebrates Halloween, albeit with a sophisticated twist! With its gothic landmarks and eerie catacombs, the city effortlessly sets the perfect Halloween ambience.
One of the must-visit places during Halloween is the Père Lachaise Cemetery, home to the graves of famous individuals like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
Doing a tour of the moss-covered gravestones truly brings the spooky spirit alive.
And what about the Paris Catacombs for a perfect Halloween in France? Journey underground to explore the chilling labyrinth of skeletal remains.
For families, Disneyland Paris is the place to be. During Halloween, the park transforms into a whimsical world of ghosts and ghouls.
Enjoy parades featuring your favourite characters in Halloween costumes and get immerse yourself in an extravaganza that only Disney can bring to life.
It’s the perfect place to go if you need a Halloween fix with all the candy corn you can eat.
How to celebrate Halloween the French way
Although France still doesn’t celebrate Halloween in the way we would in the US or UK, there are still some things you should know about Halloween in France.
What is Halloween in French?
There is no official translation so you would simply say, “l’Halloween”. However, below is a list of words traditionally used for Halloween with their French translation:
- Happy Halloween! Joyeux Halloween!
- Trick-or-treat! Des bonbons ou un sort!
- The Grim Reaper – la Faucheuse
- A Witch – une sorcière
- A Skeleton – une squelette
- A Ghost – un fantôme
- The Devil – le diable
- A Cemetary – un cimetière
- A Bat – une chauve-souris
- A Pumpkin – une citrouille
What do the French eat on Halloween?
There aren’t really any special foods prepared for Halloween in France. Some children will have the traditional candy, but other than that it would be quick and easy food such as burgers and hotdogs.
FAQS: Does France Celebrate Halloween?
Do the French carve pumpkins for Halloween?
Carving pumpkins is not a common tradition in France. However, with the increasing influence of American culture, some French people have started adopting this custom.
What is the French name of pumpkin?
The French word for pumpkin is “citrouille.”
How do you say pumpkin pie in French?
Pumpkin pie is translated as “tarte à la citrouille” in French.
How is Halloween in France different from the United States?
Halloween is a much bigger event in the United States than in France. In the U.S., it’s common to see extensive decorations, parties, and community events, whereas, in France, the holiday is more low-key, with fewer decorations and less emphasis on trick-or-treating.
Do French kids celebrate Halloween?
Yes, some French children do celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes and going trick-or-treating, although the holiday is not as widely observed as in the U.S.
Final thoughts: Do the French celebrate Halloween?
Although France doesn’t celebrate Halloween the same way as the Americans or French do, it’s still steeped in tradition.
The legends of France are fascinating and it’s rumoured that the ghost of Marie-Antoinette appears in the Palace of Versailles on Halloween.
But be warned, when the French do dress up for Halloween they go with scary rather than cute. Dressing up as their favourite superhero is not the norm, Instead, they go for sinister-looking witches, ghouls and vampires and really embrace the true meaning of Halloween.
More Resources on French Traditions
How to Celebrate Easter in France | 6 French Traditions
Christmas in France – food shopping and what to expect
Galette des Rois: An Epiphanie French Tradition
Christmas in France – Le Réveillon
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