Is Halloween Recognised In France?

This year, I am in France over Halloween... I do not usually celebrate Halloween but I was curious to know if Halloween is recognised in France and if so, how?

A bit of history about Halloween...

Before getting into modern day France and their Halloween rituals (if any).. first a bit of history about how and why Halloween started.

It is thought that Halloween originated in Celtic times (approx 2,000 years ago!) as a festival day called, Samhain.

This was first observed in Ireland, England and northern parts of France.

October 31st was considered a time when the boundary walls between this life and the next were particularly thin and so communicating with the dead was easier.

Does France recognise Halloween?

In the Celtic age, the people would celebrate Samhain by dressing up (in probably very basic costumes!), having feasts and making lanterns.

Over the years, these practices on October 31st have evolved.

As the Christian religion developed, the day became known as 'All Hallow's Eve', which is the day before All Saints Day on November 1st.

Trick or treating originated when people dressed up as saints and would recite songs from door to door, while children would ask for 'soul cakes' (a type of biscuit).

These practices, have of course changed over the years and within popular culture today people are more inclined towards scary costumes and requesting 'treats' to prevent any 'tricks' being played.

Today, Halloween is probably also recognised and celebrated more in America than other countries, despite it's origins in Europe. Why is this?

It is thought that Irish immigrants to the USA in the 19th Century, took with them the concept of Halloween and from there it grew and evolved. During the 20th century the growth in multi-media and commercialisation increased the popularity of Halloween in the States to the extent at which it is now seen.

Halloween In France Today

For those, eager to know about modern French culture and Halloween let me enlighten you!

If you are hoping to celebrate Halloween in France then you may be disappointed.

Halloween is not widely celebrated in France today, although this is slowly changing.

For many French people modern day Halloween celebrations are viewed as American culture being imposed onto French traditions (apologies to any American readers!). Perhaps this is slightly ironic considering the history of it's origins in Celtic regions (including France!).

All Saints Day on November 1st is a public holiday in France

The French do celebrate All Saints Day on November 1st and this is a recognised public holiday.

November 1st in France is a day when people traditionally remember their dead and spend time with family.

For those French people who are very traditional and hold All Saints Day in revere, Halloween is seen as a commercialised threat to this.

As mentioned earlier though, more modern Halloween practices are seeping across to France from the USA and the UK.

Some schools in France encourage the practice of English speaking by teaching children about Halloween.

Children in France today are more aware of Halloween practices from America and so likely to be begging their parents to allow them to dress up and go trick or treating. Many parents are now relenting, although perhaps to a more moderate degree than in other parts of the world.

Trick or Treat in France?

Children may be found trick or treating across France but generally only in very local areas and to awaiting neighbours. The 'trick' part of the trick or treating practice is also lost in France, so if children do go out door to door, they are merely seeking 'treats'!

Halloween costumes are adopted but tend to the scarier rather than 'cute'.

Parties to celebrate Halloween in France are also now a growing phenomenon.

As a visitor to Paris over Halloween, however, I would not recognise many signs of impending preparations.

The shops and public areas are not decorated as they now are in the UK and the USA (and other western countries).

Within some of the bigger supermarkets there are small displays of Halloween 'candy' or decorations but this is the extent of the apparent commercialisation here.

In my view, it is a good thing that France are determined to hold on to their traditional cultures and practices while they can.

All Saints day is widely recognised and important to many French people as a time to lay flowers on loved ones graves and remember their deceased. It would be sad to think that future generations let this tradition go for the sake of commercialised dressing up.

If you do find yourself, like me, in France over Halloween, perhaps then forego the costumes and sweets. Instead, why not adopt more local practices and spend time on November 1st remembering your loved ones who have died, paying respect to them?

What are your thoughts about Halloween celebrations in France? Should it be more widely accepted now?

Have you been in other countries over the Halloween period? What recognition of it was there?

**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**