Halloween in France: How do the French celebrate Halloween?

Halloween in France: History and Adoption

The 1990s and the Arrival of Halloween in French Culture

Although Halloween has Celtic origins, it was only from the 1990s that it really took hold in France.
Before that, the celebration was almost unknown.
Major brands, especially in the candy and toy industries, began promoting it through advertising campaigns inspired by the United States.
Very quickly, pumpkins, skeletons, and witches filled the supermarket shelves.

A Mixed Reception: Children's Enthusiasm vs. Adults' Skepticism

Children immediately loved the idea: dressing up, knocking on doors, collecting candy... it all seemed straight out of an American movie.
But among adults, the reaction was more cautious.
Many saw Halloween as an “imported” and purely commercial celebration, with little connection to French traditions.
Some even saw it as a threat to All Saints’ Day, celebrated the following day.

How the French Celebrate Halloween Today

Popular Costumes and Disguises

Today, Halloween has become an occasion to dress up, no matter your age.
Children go for the classics: ghosts, vampires, witches, zombies.
Adults sometimes choose more original or humorous costumes.
Schools, companies, and towns are increasingly organizing events around this celebration.

French Trick-or-Treat: “Des bonbons ou un sort!”

In France, children say: “Des bonbons ou un sort!”, a direct translation of trick or treat.
They go from house to house, especially in villages or small towns, to collect sweets.
Even if the tradition isn’t as deep-rooted as in the United States, it grows every year, especially in residential neighborhoods.

Parties, Student Nights, and Clubs

For students and young adults, Halloween mostly means costume parties.
Bars and clubs organize themed events that are often very popular.
It’s one of the few times when the French truly dare to wear extravagant costumes and spectacular makeup.

The Competition with Other French Traditions

All Saints’ Day: A Deeply Rooted Family and Religious Celebration

Just after Halloween, on November 1st, France celebrates All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday deeply rooted in the culture.
It’s a moment of remembrance when families visit cemeteries to decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers.
For some French people, Halloween feels completely out of place during this time of reflection and respect.

The Generational Difference in Perception

Younger generations see Halloween as a fun and creative celebration.
Older generations, however, often remain attached to All Saints’ Day and its spiritual meaning.
This difference in perception illustrates how French society evolves: between tradition and modernity, between heritage and openness to the world.

Halloween and Commerce

Marketing, Supermarkets, and Decorations

It’s impossible to ignore the commercial side of Halloween.
Supermarkets, bakeries, garden centers, and even florists join in.
Pumpkins, garlands, skeletons, and accessories invade the shelves from early October.
Candy brands make a significant portion of their annual revenue during this period.

Economic Impact in France

According to several studies, Halloween generates hundreds of millions of euros in sales each year in France.
Even if the event remains far behind Christmas or Easter, it has become a key commercial occasion.
And the more children ask for candy, the more companies compete in creativity to attract families.

Perceptions and Stereotypes

Halloween: Imported American Holiday or Global Celebration?

Many French people still see Halloween as a purely American holiday.
However, its origins are Celtic, linked to the Samhain festival once celebrated in Ireland and Scotland.
It was Irish immigrants who popularized it in the United States before it returned to Europe in a modernized form.

The Debate in France: Enthusiasm vs. Rejection

In France, Halloween still divides opinions.
Some people love it, others completely reject it.
Some see it as a fun way to bring children together, while others view it as a “meaningless” celebration imported only to sell more candy.
But despite the criticism, Halloween is gradually becoming part of French habits, especially among younger generations.

Useful Expressions and Vocabulary Around Halloween

A few useful expressions to talk about Halloween in French:

• Avoir la chair de poule → to have goosebumps.

• Faire peur à quelqu’un → to scare someone.

• Crier à pleins poumons → to scream at the top of one’s lungs.

• Une maison hantée → a haunted house.

• Un sort / un sortilège → a spell.

• Un déguisement → a costume.

• Un monstre / un fantôme / une sorcière / un vampire → a monster / a ghost / a witch / a vampire.

Conclusion

So, has Halloween really found its place in France?
Yes… but not completely.
It remains a celebration mainly enjoyed by children and young people, sometimes ignored or criticized by the older generations.
This mix of fascination and resistance perfectly reflects French identity: curious about the world, yet deeply attached to its own traditions.

And even if Halloween is not yet a fully “French” holiday, it has at least achieved one thing: reminding the French that they also know how to have fun, dress up, and laugh at their fears.

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