Should you expect Halloween trick-or-treaters in France?

Halloween is celebrated on October 31 and while countries such as the US and UK will be gearing up for a night of trick-or-treating, this will not so much be the case in France. 

However, if you do receive any knocks at the door, it is helpful to know the French term for ‘trick or treat.’  

In France, you are more likely to hear young voices call out ‘des bonbons ou un sort’ (literally: sweets or a spell) - the equivalent to ‘trick or treat’ in France. Or the children may just ask for 'des bonbons,' meaning sweets.  

How popular is trick-or-treating in France?

Trick-or-treating is a Halloween tradition that sees children dressing up in costumes and ringing doorbells to ask for treats with the implied threat of playing tricks on those who refuse. 

This tradition is not as commonly practised in France as elsewhere and it is unlikely that you will see groups of young people wandering around your French neighbourhood. 

You may receive some trick-or-treaters if you hang some ghoulish decorations across your front door, and visitors are more common in cities where you might find families from different cultural backgrounds who participate in Halloween festivities.

However, children tend to only visit houses they are familiar with. 

You may want to prepare some packets of sweets to hand over just in case - especially if you are friends with any neighbouring families. 

In some parts of the UK, particularly Scotland, it is common for children to sing a song, recite a poem or tell a joke in order to receive their Halloween sweets. This is not the custom in France. 

Toussaint is a bigger festival 

This spooky festival is traditionally overshadowed by La Toussaint (sometimes known as All Hallows' Day) on November 1.

Toussaint - a contraction of ‘tous les saints’ - is a Catholic holiday known as All Saints’ Day in English in which Christians are invited to remember and honour saints.

This year, La Toussaint falls on a Sunday, meaning many people will miss out on a jour férié (bank holiday). 

Halloween - not a bank holiday - falls on Saturday, and is set to coincide with the third ‘act’ of gilets jaunes protests in some cities across the country. For this reason, people may be put off from heading out after dark. 

Where are the best places to celebrate Halloween in France?

You may notice some spooky decorations hung in shops or in your local library, but if you are really looking for a Halloween experience in France, theme parks are your best option. 

Disneyland Paris (Festival Halloween Disney), Parc Astérix (Peur sur le Parc) and Futuroscope (Futuroween) are just some of France’s most popular theme parks that host dedicated Halloween festivals. 

Autumn leaves, pumpkins and skeletons pop up across the grounds, with actors often being hired to spook visitors as they walk around the park. 

Some sites also have Halloween parades with floats, dancing and scary music.

It is common for visitors to wear creepy accessories and paint their faces with scary designs during these events.

You may also see some parks extend their opening hours to offer ‘after-dark’ nocturne experiences with haunted houses to explore. Tickets are often more expensive and these events can be busy. 

Keep an eye out at your town hall for local Halloween events such as murder mystery parties, ghost walks, and cinemas may be screening horror films for the occasion. 

Have you ever had trick-or-treaters pay you a visit in France? Tell us about it at feedback@connexionfrance.com