Halloween in France: Learn Spooky French Vocabulary & Expressions! 🎃
👻 Boo! Ready to learn spooky French?
Halloween may not be a traditional French holiday, but it’s becoming more and more popular in France — especially among children, young adults, and in schools! Whether you’re planning a trip to France in October or simply love everything spooky, this resource will help you learn French Halloween words and phrases that bring chills and smiles alike.
🕷️ From costumes to monsters, here’s everything you need to celebrate Halloween à la française, with clear language levels and registers so you can sound natural — not terrifyingly formal!
🧙♀️ French Halloween Vocabulary: Words to Know
Want to talk about pumpkins, ghosts, and haunted houses in French? Here’s your complete list of French Halloween vocabulary, organized by level.
| Français | English | Niveau | Registre |
| Halloween | Halloween | A1 | courant |
| Une citrouille | A pumpkin | A1 | courant |
| Un monstre | A monster | A1 | courant |
| Une sorcière | A witch | A1 | courant |
| Des bonbons | Candy | A1 | courant |
| Une araignée | A spider | A1 | courant |
| Un fantôme | A ghost | A1 | courant |
| Une lanterne | A lantern | A2 | courant |
| Un déguisement | A costume | A2 | courant |
| Des friandises | Sweets | A2 | courant |
| Trick or treat ! | Des bonbons ou un sort ! | A2 | familier |
| Fêter Halloween | To celebrate Halloween | A2 | courant |
| Un vampire | A vampire | A2 | courant |
| Un squelette | A skeleton | A2 | courant |
| Un zombie | A zombie | A2 | courant |
| Avoir peur | To be scared | A2 | courant |
| Une chauve-souris | A bat | B1 | courant |
| Se déguiser | To dress up | B1 | courant |
| Faire peur à quelqu’un | To scare someone | B1 | courant |
| Une maison hantée | A haunted house | B1 | courant |
| Une fête costumée | A costume party | B1 | courant |
| Effrayant(e) | Scary | B1 | courant |
| Un sort | A spell | B2 | courant |
| Des sorts | Tricks / spells | B2 | courant |
| Horrible / Terrifiant(e) | Horrible / Terrifying | B2 | courant |
| Une farce | A prank | B2 | courant |
💡 French Tip:
👉 In France, Halloween is often celebrated with costume parties (fêtes costumées), not so much with door-to-door candy collection. Children might still say « Des bonbons ou un sort ! », but you’ll hear it less than in the U.S.
🧛♂️ Useful French Halloween Phrases
Want to talk or write about Halloween in French? Use these short, practical French Halloween phrases 👇
| Français | English | Niveau | Registre |
| Tu fais peur ! | You’re scary! | A2 | familier |
| Joyeux Halloween ! | Happy Halloween! | A2 | courant |
| Des bonbons ou un sort ? | Trick or treat? | A2 | courant |
| Tu veux des bonbons ? | Do you want some candy? | A2 | familier |
| C’est trop effrayant ! | That’s too scary! | B1 | courant |
| Je me suis déguisé(e) en sorcière. | I dressed up as a witch. | B1 | courant |
🕯️ French Halloween Traditions
While Halloween isn’t originally part of French culture, it’s gaining popularity every year. 🎉
In many French towns:
- Schools and families organize costume parties or pumpkin-carving workshops.
- Bakeries display spooky pastries like citrouille en pâte d’amande (pumpkin marzipan).
- Shops sell decorations, sweets, and spider webs starting mid-October.
- The evening is often followed by Toussaint (All Saints’ Day), a more traditional and reflective French holiday on November 1st.
If you’re in France during Halloween, you’ll notice how traditions mix — a touch of American fun with the French art de vivre!
🪄 Practice French Halloween Vocabulary in Real Life
✨ Want to use your new French Halloween words and expressions in real conversations?
With S.L.Immersion, you can experience French culture firsthand, stay with a certified French teacher, and practice vocabulary like this every day — naturally and joyfully.
🎃 If you come in October, you might even carve pumpkins, visit a haunted castle, or celebrate Halloween à la française with your host family!
💬 FAQ – Halloween in France
🎃 Is Halloween celebrated in France?
Yes, but it’s not a traditional holiday. It’s more popular with children and young adults who enjoy dressing up and attending themed parties.
👻 Do French children go trick-or-treating?
In small towns or communities, yes! But it’s less common than in English-speaking countries.
🕯️ What do the French do instead of Halloween?
Many families observe La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) on November 1st : a day to honor loved ones.
🍬 How do you say “trick or treat” in French?
“Des bonbons ou un sort !” (literally: “Candies or a spell!”)
🕷️ What’s the best way to learn French Halloween vocabulary?
Practice it in context! Join S.L.Immersion to live French daily and pick up authentic expressions naturally.
Here’s an exercise to practice your French Halloween vocabulary!
Test your knowledge and have fun using the spooky words and phrases you’ve just learned.
A playful way to improve your French while exploring Halloween traditions in France. 👻