My mother, who instilled me with a giddy love for Halloween lore and festivities, always asks me if I'm doing anything to celebrate in Paris. "Meh," I inevitably say, "It's just not happening here. I'll probably just end up making pumpkin soup again." In France, I explain, Halloween is a recent import associated strongly with corny marketing campaigns from candy companies (French shorthand for "American cultural imperialism"), and the spirit's just not there. Also, while France does count regions such as Brittany, whose Celtic roots have infused the local culture with a fair share of legends, superstitions and tall tales, the dominant culture in the country is one of Cartesian logic. I like to joke that ghosts don't even bother haunting the old mansions and cemeteries of Paris anymore, since no one believes in them anyway.
In short, if you're looking for Halloween fun in Paris, be aware that it's a pretty sparse affair here. However, there are still ways to celebrate the season in spite of the lack of Halloween ambiance. You may have to get creative, but it can be worth the effort. Read my new article on Halloween in Paris to learn more about how to get ghoulish this year.
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Image: Halloween at Disneyland Resort Paris is probably the easiest way to soak in some Halloween ambiance. ©2009 Edera. Some rights reserved under the Creative Commons license.