Halloween is usually during mid-season school break (“les vacances de la Toussaint”), so schools don’t usually organize a trick-or-treating outing. Although some neighborhoods are more responsive than others, trick-or-treating is not yet part of the French tradition, and people have mixed reactions to being “disturbed’ at nightfall for candies by kids in costumes.

 

How do you say “trick or treat” in French?

Well… you don’t! The whole point being to have French kids use a few English words… But a good translation would be: “des bonbons ou un sort” (candies or a spell), or “bêtises ou friandises” (mischiefs or sweets). Note however the “trick” part is out of the question in France… That part of the tradition didn’t make it (yet ?) and French folks have not had the pleasure to receive eggs or toilets paper over their fences, trees, house… Most people won’t have candies handy, and houses don’t decorate…

 

The same day as the Catholic holiday “La Toussaint”

 

It’s too bad though, because on November 1st is the Catholic Holiday of “la Toussaint” (All Saints Day – A national holiday), when French people traditionally visit cemeteries, freshen up the tomb displays, bring colorful mums (“des chrysanthèmes“… symbol of death, never to be given as a bouquet… that would be a big faux-pas) and pray to their dead and their favorite saints. These are the same ideas that are at the very heart of Halloween. I feel Halloween could be a great way to get younger people to carry on ancient French traditions that are getting forgotten, while also integrating a fun American celebration.

 

Credit: Camille Chevalier-Karfis (Master the Modern French Language).