Does France Celebrate Halloween? History of La Toussaint

No, Halloween is not a big deal in France, but it’s definitely gaining popularity. It’s celebrated more in bigger cities and among the younger generation, but it’s still not as widely embraced as in North America.

It’s typically found in some neighborhoods throughout Paris, Lyon, etc., however, you’re not going to find a surplus of carved pumpkins overwhelming front porches or skeletons the size of a house laid out across front lawns.

Festive lights are becoming more popular among storefronts in tourist areas as are small displays including cobwebs, fake spiders, and the occasional gourd or two.

Yes, some people do wear costumes on Halloween in France, especially children who go trick-or-treating. However, it’s not as common for adults to dress up, and the costumes tend to be less elaborate compared to those seen in the U.S.

Moreover, it’s on the extremely rare occasion that you’ll find anyone wearing something that strays from the typical witch, wizard, vampire, zombie, or ghost costume (scary costumes are the French tradition).

Princess and superhero Halloween costumes have yet to find their way to France.

Only a small portion of people in France celebrate Halloween, so if you were hoping for something as extravagant as the Parisian Christmas markets, you may want to head to another European city.

As I mentioned above, people in France are starting to hop on the Halloween bandwagon, and have been since the 1990s, however, there is still a long way to go in terms of creating a celebration that’s comparable to that of Salem, Massachusetts.

Since Halloween is still considered a foreign holiday to most people in France, you’ll only find a handful of homes and craft stores celebrating with traditional activities like pumpkin carving (and roasting the pumpkin seeds!), watching spooky movies, and trick-or-treating.

Back in the 90s when the holiday was really taking off thanks to the help of Disneyland Paris and its talented marketing team, adult costume parties were exceedingly popular and most French people got in on the holiday fun.

Today, the holiday is typically met with disdain by adults, while children residing in households where its celebration is permitted absolutely adore it.

Kids dress up, walk the streets in search of candy, and stop into some decorated stores in the bigger cities.

However, finding homes that take part in the idea of children knocking on their door after dark (family time in a French home) in search of free sweets is becoming less and less common.

Yes, Paris, as one of the larger metropolitan areas in France, does see some Halloween festivities. The level of celebration is still a far cry from what you’d experience in North American cities, but it’s relatively more animated compared to the quieter French towns and villages.

You’ll find a handful of shops, especially those targeting younger audiences, adorned with Halloween decorations, and a few special events, particularly in places like Disneyland Paris.

Some children in Paris do go trick-or-treating, and you might even spot the occasional Halloween party! If you’re in Europe around the time of Halloween, you’ll find the largest population of people celebrating the holiday to some degree in Paris.

Most children who grow up in major French cities love Halloween due to the exciting and treat-filled nature of the holiday, however, most adults do not like Halloween.

The sentiment towards Halloween among adults in France is often negative, as they see it as a commercialized and Americanized holiday that takes away from traditional French customs.

However, there are still some who embrace Halloween wholeheartedly, especially the younger generation who have been exposed to it through media and popular culture.

Ultimately, whether one likes Halloween in France or not depends on their individual preferences and personal experiences with the holiday.

Halloween in France is controversial as it’s seen by some as a foreign holiday that’s attempting to overshadow the traditional French holiday of La Toussaint.

Moreover, there have been concerns raised about the commercialization and Americanization of the holiday, with fears that it may lose its cultural significance and become more centered on consumerism and profit.

Additionally, some people argue that Halloween promotes unhealthy habits, such as overindulging in candy and promoting fear-based themes.

But, the primary reason Halloween has become increasingly controversial is because La Toussaint and Halloween share similar themes of remembering and honoring the dead, which the French don’t believe should be treated so lightly as it is on Halloween.

In America, we often refer to Halloween as the celebration that traces its roots back to the Celtic night known as “All Hallows’ Eve”, the night before All Saints’ Day, when it is believed that the spirits of the dead have the opportunity to return to Earth.

Over time, this night has become less about the historic origins and meaning of October 31st and more about candy, dressing up, and having a reason to get together with friends and potentially cause mischief without repercussions.

Therefore, American and French people treat these two holidays a bit differently, and neither necessarily agree with the other’s perspective.

In French, Halloween is still referred to as “Halloween”. The pronunciation, however, does vary from the English version.

The “ha” is more deeply pronounced so it sounds more like “HA-low-ween”. So, if you find yourself in France during this season, you can seamlessly fit in by wishing everyone a “Joyeux Halloween!”

When referring to their own day of remembrance on November 1st, they call it “La Toussaint.”

Halloween in Paris, like in the rest of the world, is annually celebrated on the 31st of October. So, Halloween in Paris for the year 2025 will fall on Friday, October 31st.

As noted, festivities may vary every year, but those interested can expect a handful of Halloween-themed events, parties, and other special occurrences if they’ll be visiting Paris.

The best place in France to celebrate Halloween is in Disneyland Paris! Disneyland Paris, a popular tourist destination, goes all out with Halloween decorations and events. They even host the Disney Halloween Festival!

The park is transformed into a spooky wonderland, with special parades, shows, and even a Halloween-themed fireworks display. Children typically dress up in their favorite costumes and participate in trick-or-treating around the park.

For those wanting to fully immerse themselves in the Halloween spirit, Disneyland Paris is the perfect destination.

From Halloween parties scattered across the park to festive food (i.e. des bonbons, black-bun burgers, and jack-o-lantern cakes) this is the biggest annual Halloween party in France!