From Samhain to Toussaint: Discover the Celtic Roots of Halloween in France 

Uncover the fascinating connection between the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain or Sauin – Samain in French – and France’s modern-day observances for Halloween.

As autumn leaves paint the French countryside in hues of amber and gold, a whisper of ancient Celtic traditions lingers in the air. While modern Halloween celebrations may not be as prevalent in France as in other countries, the roots of this spooky holiday run deep in the nation’s Celtic heritage, particularly in regions like Brittany.

The Celtic Origins: Samhain 

Samhain, pronounced “sow-in”, was a pivotal celebration in the Celtic calendar, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. This festival, previously observed three days before the November full moon, is now held from 31 October to 1 November. Marking the end of the wars and fighting season, it was deeply significant to the Celts who once inhabited large swathes of what is now France. 

Key aspects of Samhain included: 

• The belief that the veil between the world of the living and the dead was at its thinnest meaning the dead would revisit the world of the living. 

• Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits and honour the dead. At the end of the celebrations, embers were given to each household to light the fire and keep the home warm as well as protect it from spirits. This ‘sacred flame’ had to stay lit for the whole year. 

• Costumes were worn to disguise oneself from malevolent entities. 

Brittany and Beyond 

In Brittany, a region with strong Celtic roots, echoes of Samhain persist in local customs: 

Ankou’s Night
On the eve of All Saints’ Day, some Bretons still observe the tradition of leaving food out for deceased ancestors. This night is associated with Ankou, the personification of death’s servant in Breton folklore. The Ankou was in charge of collecting the souls of those who were about to die. Represented as a tall thin man or even a skeleton, he’s described as wearing a black cloak and holding a scythe, whose blade was pointed upwards, not down. He stands in a rickety cart and wanders the Breton countryside, collecting those who are meant to die. 

Bonfires and Torchlight Processions
In certain Breton villages, communities gather to light bonfires and participate in torchlight processions, reminiscent of ancient Samhain practices. 

The Evolution: From Samhain to Toussaint 

As Christianity spread across France, many pagan celebrations were banned and Samhain traditions were incorporated into the Christian calendar: 

• All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint) on 1 November became a day to honour saints and deceased loved ones 

• All Souls’ Day (Jour des morts) on 2 November was established as a time to pray for the souls of the departed
  

Today, La Toussaint remains a public holiday in France, with many families visiting cemeteries to pay respects to their ancestors. Bouquets of Chrysanthemums are placed upon the tombstones of loved ones, making cemeteries unusually colourful and beautiful places during this time. 

Modern Halloween in France 

While the commercialised American version of Halloween has made inroads in France, particularly in urban areas, it’s often seen more as a pretext for costume parties than a deeply rooted tradition. However, there’s a growing interest in reviving Celtic traditions, particularly in Brittany, especially around the Halloween season with Celtic-themed events and parties in major cities, workshops on Celtic folklore and mythology and Samhain-inspired music and dance performances.