Halloween in France
November 2nd, 2006 | 
Author: Halloween is a slightly peculiar holiday in France.
For a start, the actual holiday is November 1st (All Saints Day) when just about everything in France closes, much to the surprise of foreigners who are more used to Halloween being just for the kids and being the day before.
Secondly, it’s not really a French traditional holiday and they haven’t quite got the hang of it yet. Imported from America (no doubt to the disgust of a number of the French), there are numerous outfits for the kids and, of course, the usual Halloween goodies seen elsewhere. On the other hand, they may well have the outfits and troup round the houses but haven’t worked out a proper translation of “trick or treat” and therefore just go round the streets calling out for “bon bons” (sweets). The householders, for the most part haven’t got the hang of it either so the vast majority of houses remain closed and it’s noticeable that the groups of kids are very selective in the houses that they call on.
Anyway, if you’re on holiday here around Halloween, don’t forget to buy your petrol etc. on the 31st of October and wonder at the spread of an American holiday to France.
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” Imported from America (no doubt to the disgust of a number of the French)”
Very true statement ! I don’t welcome all this Halloween stuff, and many french, just like me, see it as an intrusion on our lifestyle. This commercial Halloween stuff imported from the US is not something many french like. If you travel to France with your kids, you must keep in mind that Halloween day is sometimes seen as “american invasion day”. But french people aren’t all crazy anti-americans, and most of them will be happy to give sweets to the kids if they ask for them :o).
We’re the same. Halloween doesn’t exist in either the UK or Australia or didn’t before it spread from America.
Prior to that, we had “a penny for the guy” commemorating Guy Falkes attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Hence “Remember, remember the fifth of November” if you ever hear that phrase.
It is kind of odd to watch an American custom being adopted in France. Locally, it seems to be getting more entrenched as the years go on.