Halloween in France: amusement parks, haunted castles, and night visits

Disneyland Paris transforms into a themed attraction park during the Halloween season. The grounds are decorated with pumpkins, spider webs, and autumn elements throughout the streets and attractions. Staff members wear costumes inspired by Disney characters and fantasy figures. The park organizes special Halloween-themed parades and offers seasonal shows for visitors of all ages. Attractions receive temporary decorations matching the festive period.

The Musée Rodin organizes a nocturnal tour during Halloween centered on the sculpture The Gates of Hell. This event features staging with lighting effects and adapted sound accompaniment that presents Auguste Rodin's monumental work in a new context. The nighttime setting enhances the dramatic representations of figures from Dante's Divine Comedy that Rodin incorporated into this bronze door standing over six meters high. The museum uses the Halloween period to offer visitors a different approach to this central work by the French sculptor.

The Paris Catacombs extend over more than 300 kilometres beneath the city and contain the remains of approximately six million people. Since the late 18th century, the overcrowded cemeteries of the capital have been transferred here. During night tours, guides recount the historical events and the creation of these underground sites while visitors walk through the galleries where bones and skulls are arranged in artistic patterns.

Parc Astérix transforms during the Halloween season, offering themed decorations throughout its various areas. Visitors can attend horror-themed shows specifically created for this period. The park's restaurants serve special Halloween menus with adapted dishes and presentations.

These caves near Lyon transform into an Egyptian realm during Halloween. The Grottes de la Balme host a themed exhibition exploring the religious practices, funerary rites, and mythological beliefs of ancient Egypt. Visitors discover the underground galleries decorated with sarcophagi, hieroglyphs, and representations of Egyptian deities. The natural atmosphere of the limestone caves enhances the experience of this temporary installation that combines archaeology with the holiday spirit.

Futuroscope organizes special events and themed circuits during the Halloween season for the whole family. The park offers animations, shows, and interactive experiences enhanced with Halloween elements. The attractions combine technological innovation with seasonal entertainment, creating a program for visitors of all ages.

Thoiry Animal Park organizes special nighttime tours through the enclosures during the Halloween season. Visitors follow a themed circuit where the animal areas feature decorations and lighting effects. The program combines observation of nocturnal animals with scenic installations distributed throughout the grounds. The event takes place during the weeks surrounding October 31st.

The Citadelle de Bitche transforms its underground galleries during the Halloween season into a route featuring staged scenes and actors. This 17th-century military fortress uses its historical vaults and casemates to offer visitors a theatrical experience. The event combines the military architecture of the site with special lighting effects and decorations. During the tour through the tunnels and underground rooms, visitors encounter various characters and installations designed for the spooky season.

Le Palais de l'Horreur combines theatre and interactive experience in an escape game set in a 19th-century mansion. Participants move through decorated rooms where professional actors portray various characters and develop a narrative around the abandoned residence. The scenographic design includes period furniture, dim lighting, and sound effects to recreate the atmosphere of that era. The concept relies on solving puzzles and interacting with performers to locate the exit. The event targets an adult audience and takes place during the Halloween season in Paris.

The Château de Combourg organizes nighttime tours during the Halloween season through its medieval rooms. Visitors discover the towers, halls, and corridors of this 11th-century fortress while hearing stories and legends from Brittany. The castle, where writer Chateaubriand spent his youth, opens its historic walls for atmospheric walks after nightfall.

Château de Lichtenberg is a medieval fortress in the Northern Vosges that hosts historical events during the Halloween season. This 13th-century castle presents knight battles, sword fighting demonstrations, and theatrical performances in period costumes. Visitors can explore the fortifications, towers, and inner courtyards while actors recreate medieval scenes. The Halloween programming combines history with entertainment through demonstrations of ancient combat techniques and representations of life in the Middle Ages.

The Forêt de Brocéliande has been connected for centuries to the tales of King Arthur and his Round Table. During nocturnal guided tours through this Breton forest, storytellers recount the adventures of the knights, Merlin the wizard, and Celtic traditions that give this woodland its mythological significance. Visitors discover locations such as Merlin's tomb, the Fountain of the Fairies, and the Valley of No Return, while darkness enhances the atmosphere of ancient legends.

The Château de Fougeret opens its doors for nighttime tours where visitors can explore the history of this medieval fortress dating from the 15th century. Guides recount the historical events that took place within these walls, as well as unexplained phenomena observed by visitors and staff in various rooms. The tours wind through the castle's old halls, corridors and towers, combining historical facts with accounts of paranormal observations.

The Château de Commarque organizes nighttime performances during the Halloween season based on the local legend of a phantom horse. This medieval fortified site from the 12th century serves as the backdrop for these events, where actors recreate the story of the ghostly animal said to roam through the ruins. Visitors explore the towers, walls and underground chambers of the site by torchlight.

The Abbaye de Mortemer was founded in the 12th century and ranks among the oldest Cistercian abbeys in Normandy. The grounds include ruins of the former abbey church, a 17th-century dovecote, and several preserved buildings now serving as a museum. The abbey documents numerous reports of unexplained phenomena and ghost sightings, including the legend of the white lady Mathilde de l'Aigle. During guided night tours, visitors learn about historical events such as the death of King Henry I of England nearby. The park extends over several hectares with old trees and ponds that belonged to the medieval complex.

Hôtel La Coquillade organizes Halloween events in its historic wine cellars dating from the 16th century. Guests follow an interactive puzzle trail through the underground vaults, where they solve various challenges. After exploring the decorated cellars, participants enjoy a themed dinner in the hotel's restaurant. The event combines the architecture of the old stone vaults with Halloween decorations and caters to both families and adults.

This church was restored in the 19th century by Abbé Bérenger Saunière, who served as parish priest of Rennes-le-Château from 1885 to 1917. The building displays unusual decorations featuring religious and esoteric symbols, including a devil at the entrance holding the holy water font. The interior contains depictions of the Stations of the Cross with details that diverge from traditional Catholic iconography. Saunière carried out these works after allegedly discovering encrypted documents inside an altar pillar during renovation. The church attracts visitors interested in theories about hidden treasures and historical mysteries.

The Château de Brissac rises seven stories high as the tallest castle in France, located in the Loire Valley. The fortress dates from the 11th century, rebuilt in the 15th century and expanded in the 17th century. The estate has belonged to the Cossé-Brissac family for fifteen generations. The legend of the Green Lady tells of Charlotte de Brézé, illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, who was murdered by her husband in the 15th century after he discovered her affair. Visitors report sightings of her apparition in the corridors of the north tower, dressed in a green gown. The castle contains 204 rooms, including the opulent 19th-century theatre room with 200 seats. The interiors display 17th-century tapestries, gilded ceilings, and furnishings from various periods.

The gardens of Petit Trianon were created in the 18th century for Madame de Pompadour and later redesigned by Marie-Antoinette. The estate includes French formal gardens, an English landscape park, and a small theatre that the queen used for private performances. Night tours share anecdotes about life at court, including stories of the festivities and daily activities of the queen. Visitors walk through torchlit pathways and discover the pavilions and the Hameau de la Reine, a recreated village where Marie-Antoinette retreated from court protocol.

Walibi Rhône-Alpes transforms into a Halloween destination during October. The park features haunted mazes, scare zones and nighttime attractions. Visitors encounter zombies, witches and other costumed characters roaming the pathways. The regular rides remain operational with added special lighting and sound effects. Various themed areas present different horror scenarios suitable for families and adults.

Dino-Zoo transforms into a festive destination for families during the Halloween season. The park decorates its pathways and areas with autumn ornaments, creating a celebratory setting among the life-sized dinosaur models. Children can participate in special games and activities designed for the event. Themed zones featuring Halloween motifs are set up throughout the grounds, offering visitors a combination of prehistoric discovery and seasonal festivities.

The Rocher Portail transforms into a school of wizardry designed for young visitors. The estate organizes hands-on workshops where children participate in magic classes, prepare potions following secret recipes, and complete various challenges. The activities recreate the fantasy world of magic, allowing participants to step into the role of apprentice wizards.

The Château du Rivau organizes Halloween events during the autumn holidays. Visitors explore the historic rooms of this 15th-century fortress while the gardens are decorated with hundreds of pumpkins, orange lanterns and themed installations. The program includes medieval games for children, treasure hunts through the various themed gardens, and decoration-making workshops. Families walk through the twelve fairy-tale gardens and discover the castle's collections of antique furniture and tapestries.

Zoo de Beauval organizes special nighttime visits during the Halloween period. Visitors can participate in themed activities and observe the animals after dark. These events provide opportunities to see the park's various species in a different setting and learn about their nocturnal behaviors. The nighttime tours offer a distinct experience for families and wildlife enthusiasts.

Nigloland transforms for Halloween with themed decorations throughout the amusement park. Visitors encounter costumed characters walking along the pathways while illuminated pumpkins create a seasonal setting. The park organizes special Halloween-themed shows for guests. Regular attractions remain operational alongside the festive additions. Families can experience both traditional rides and seasonal entertainment during the autumn period.

La Mer de Sable transforms into a Halloween venue from October 15 to 31. The theme park uses its Far West scenery and period buildings to present shows featuring ghosts, monsters and frightening characters. Visitors experience themed entertainment integrated throughout the park's different areas, from Wild West streets to desert landscapes.

The Conciergerie opens its medieval halls and prison cells for Halloween events that trace the history of the French Revolution. Visitors explore the rooms where Marie-Antoinette and other prisoners were held before their execution. The historic monument along the Seine organizes themed tours that combine historical facts with the somber atmosphere of the former detention facility. The Gothic vaults and corridors provide an authentic setting for narratives about the Revolutionary Tribunal and the fates of the inmates.

The Père-Lachaise Cemetery organizes nocturnal visits through its historic burial grounds. Guides recount the lives and works of the artists, writers and historical figures interred here. The tours wind through the tree-lined pathways of this Parisian cemetery established in the 19th century.

The Château des Ducs de Bretagne opens its doors for themed evening tours during the Halloween season. Visitors explore the medieval rooms and fortification walls while storytellers recount the historical events and paranormal tales associated with these walls. The nocturnal tours highlight the history of the Breton dukes and the mysterious occurrences that are said to have taken place within this fortress over the centuries.

The Château de Chantilly organizes lantern-lit tours through its historic rooms during the Halloween period. Visitors can discover the painting collections and artworks by lantern light. These evening tours lead through the Grands Appartements and offer a different perspective on the castle's interior decoration. The estate uses this special lighting to transform the atmosphere of the rooms and highlight details that are less visible in daylight.

The Musée de L'illusion transforms for Halloween into a circuit of optical illusions and sensory experiments. The temporary setup uses light projections, distorting mirror systems and rooms with acoustic and visual effects that challenge visitors' perception. The Halloween installation extends the museum's regular offerings with thematic elements that combine illusions with seasonal motifs.

The Paradox Museum in Paris features more than 70 interactive installations and optical illusions available during the Halloween season. The exhibitions combine science, art and perception phenomena across themed rooms. Visitors experience puzzling visual effects, mirror chambers and paradoxical constructions that challenge human perception. The museum organizes special activities for Halloween with additional attractions and adapted routes for families and adults.

The Musée Grévin transforms into a spooky experience for Halloween. The wax figures are integrated into special sets that recreate horror film scenes through modified lighting effects and eerie soundscapes. Visitors walk through exhibition rooms where famous personalities from history, cinema, and politics are staged in Halloween scenarios. The lighting is strategically used to create shadows and unsettling effects, while sound effects intensify the experience. This temporary transformation of the museum offers an entertaining way to discover the collection in a new context and is suitable for families with older children and adults looking for a different Halloween experience in the heart of Paris.