La Toussaint

Posted: Fri, Oct 29, 2021 9:22 AM

 As those of us with small people at home get ready for Hallowen ( or in my case make a mad dash to Morrisons with fingers crossed that there are any pumpkins left 🤞) I thought I'd share with you what happens in France as it's a bit different than in the UK.🎃

Although ‘l’Halloween’ or le nuit d’Halloween’ is less popular in France than in some other countries, you can still incorporate some Halloween activities into your child’s French education. Many French children dress in costumes, watch horror movies or go trick or treating. I'm not sure we're ready for scary movies just yet in my house though!

Belgium is the most enthusiastic of the French speaking countries in celebrating Halloween, and candles are lit, and parades held in many of the big cities.

Some other French speaking countries, including Quebec, Rwanda and Vietnam also celebrate. I bet lots of you hadn't even thought about using your French in such far flung locations!

The following day, 1st November, known as ‘la Toussaint’ (pronounced toosan, from the words ‘tous’ meaning all and ‘saint’ meaning saint) is more popular. As well as being a day for Christians to celebrate all the saints, this is a day when people of all religions honour the dead, and bring chrysanthemums to loved ones in cemeteries. If you are visiting France around this time, you will often see chrysanthemums for sale in the streets.

Here is some useful vocabulary that may help you practise your French while celebrating Halloween.

La citrouille: pumpkin🎃
L’araignée: spider 🕷
La toile d’araignée: cobweb 🕸
La chauve-souris: bat 🦇
Le squelette: skeleton💀
Le fantôme: ghost 👻
La sorcière: witch🧙‍♀️
« une farce ou une gâterie »: trick or treat

#laToussaint #Halloween #Lingotot
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