Halloween in France
Curious about how Halloween came to France? Let’s journey from ancient Celtic rituals to today’s lantern-lit vineyard strolls, revealing how this spooky festival took root in Bordeaux.
Halloween’s Origins, Celtic Samhain & Roman Influences
Going back over 2,000 years, Halloween began with Samhain. A major Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the onset of winter. Celebrated in what’s now Ireland, Britain, and Northern France. Samhain was believed to thin the boundary between our world and the spirit realm. To protect themselves, Celts lit bonfires, wore animal skins, and carried lanterns made from hollowed turnips carved with faces.
When the Romans conquered Celtic lands, they merged Samhain with festivals like Feralia. A day honoring the dead, adding layers of rituals, ancestor remembrance, and feasting.
From Samhain to All Saints : adaptation in France
By the 8th century, the Catholic Church moved All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint) to November 1. Followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2, likely to synchronize with, and gradually replace, pagan Samhain celebrations.
In rural France, particularly in Brittany, ancient customs persisted. People carved turnips and beets (ancestors of later pumpkins) and lit candles to guide spirits, a practice known locally as Kalan Goañv.
Halloween Arrives in Modern France : 1990s onward
True Halloween festivities, costumes, trick-or-treat, carved pumpkins—only truly landed in France during the 1990s, fueled by U.S. cultural influence and commercialization. A pivotal moment occurred in 1997, when retailers and media embraced Halloween, sparking widespread interest.
Still, many French see it as an imported tradition. Choosing instead to uphold La Toussaint, which is rooted in remembrance and reflection. Some regions, like Alsace and Moselle, kept older local celebrations like the “Nuit des Betteraves” (The beetroots night). Where beets were carved as lanterns to ward off evil spirits..
How Kids & French Families Celebrate Halloween in Bordeaux
Trick-or-Treat… French Style
Although the U.S. style of “trick-or-treat” hasn’t taken off in France, you’ll still find costumed children, ghosts, skeletons, witches, visiting local cafés and shops in Bordeaux or larger towns. They ask playfully in French, “Un bonbon ou un sort” for candy or treats.
In smaller villages, it’s rare—often limited to spontaneous shop-to-shop visits rather than organized door-to-door candy quests
Carving Turnips & Other Root Traditions
In some regions, particularly Brittany and rural Aquitaine, families continue the tradition of carving lanterns from beetroot, turnips, or rutabagas, a direct heirloom from Celtic rituals rather than the more modern pumpkin carving
From lantern-lit vineyard walks to candlelit château dinners, there’s a spooky-side of Bordeaux beautifully balanced with warmth, elegance, and local charm. Whether you’re traveling with little witches and goblins or seeking a luxurious grown-up evening, Halloween here offers unforgettable moments, with lots of history, community, and that signature Bordelaise flair.
