L’Halloween is becoming a thing in France. It has taken a while but reports are that the kids are getting into it and so hence are the parents. This is my third Halloween in France and I would say, yes, it seems to be pretty popular.
Two years ago I had just shy of 50 kids show up. Last year due to the pandemic lockdown, there were none. This afternoon the fun began at 3:30 PM, even though it was still very light out. With a lit pumpkin positioned outside my front door, they continued to knock peaking around 6 PM with the last group arriving at 9:20 PM. I estimate the total this year to have exceeded 70 and I’ve gone through three bags of candy.
The French say Des bonbons ou un sort (Candies or a spell). I discovered, however, that some of the kids knew Trick or treat which came out when they learned I am American.
I asked them Qu’est-ce qu’on dit en France? (What does one day in France?) and I would either get Des bonbons ou un sort or Joyeuse Halloween.
I then asked if they knew what one says in the US? Aside from Trick or treat, nothing. So I recited this (which I understand may be a Michigan thing where I grew up):
“Help the poor! My pants are tore. Give me some money to buy some more!”
which I then repeated in French so they’d get it:
Aidez les pauvres mes pantalons sont déchirés. Donne-moi de l’argent pour en acheter d’autres.
One little girl said ever so seriously, “But monsieur, I don’t understand.”
Another boy said with a big smile on his face: “Monsieur, that’s a lot to say!” I cracked up.
I told them all it was a joke (C’est une blague) and they laughed though I think the little girl was still a bit confused by my American humor.
There were some parents accompanying their little ones who DID get it.
Overall it was a fun evening and a nice diversion.
Tomorrow, November 1, is the Feast of All Saints or Toussaint. It is a bank holiday like many other Catholic holy days. They have retained the holy days as holidays, but being a secular nation, have pretty much abandoned the religious context. So it’s just one more day off and a good excuse to get out tonight and have some fun.
Trick or treat!
What fun Tom! Thanks for sharing another cross cultural experience (complete with translations)!
Enjoyed another cultural exchange! Did you see any clever costumes, perhaps ones referencing a French icon?
BTW I never heard the Michigan rhyme perhaps bc I live in CA.
To be honest, I wasn’t carefully examining the costumes. I did note many were quite ghoulish, but nothing stands out as outwardly French.
We got fewer, but at least 25. We went through a lot of candy! Lots of fun!
Leave it to the French to embrace this holiday. I had nary a trick or treaters so must figure out how to consume all my goodies. Hmmm! The pics and anecdotes are precious, Tom! Kristin
So glad you had such a Joyeux Halloween!
What a lovely tale. Thank you for sharing Tom. L