Do the French Celebrate Halloween?

Ever wondered if the French take part in trick-or-treating, or put out *les citrouilles on October 31st? While many older generations view the holiday as a crass, commercial US import, Halloween has grown in popularity in recent years.

However, it’s still completely overshadowed by a more sombre tradition that takes place the next day – La Toussaint (or All Saints’ Day). On this national holiday, families visit cemeteries to clean, decorate and place *les chrysanthèmes, which symbolise memory, on the graves of loved ones lost.

And while it may not involve a sugar hit, the occasion is also a favourite with kids as it coincides with a two-week school break, *les vacances de la Toussaint.

* pumpkins | *chrysanthemums | *All Saints’ Day holidays