7 Spooky Haunts Where You Can Celebrate Halloween in Paris

The Toussaint (All Saints Day) holidays are fast approaching!  The 1^st of November is the day when the French pay their respects to the memory of their ancestors, but more and more French and many expats are embracing a different tradition: Halloween!

The word Halloween is derived from the term, “All Hallows Eve,” which occurs on October 31st, the day before “All Saints Day” or “All Hallows Day” on November 1^st. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.

Over time, Halloween has evolved into a commercial holiday, an Anglo-Saxon celebratory invention to dress up at night and go out for candy, a tradition that can be enjoyed no matter what your age!

For those who can’t resist dressing up in a costume for a bit of trick-or-treating, INSPIRELLE has hand-picked some great places where you and your entourage can celebrate Halloween in Paris—no matter what your age. So, don your costumes and get ready for all kinds of spooky, creepy, crazy fun!

(Looking for Halloween costumes and party decorations? Check out our I-List for ideas!)

Wicked, All-Day Fun for the Whole Family…

American Library in Paris (ALP) Annual Halloween Extravaganza

The American Library promises week long spooky fun beginning October 20th with Monster Mayhem Story hour for 3-5 year olds, teen night costume party on the 18th, costume making on the 19th and culminating with a packed fun-filled day planned on Saturday, October 26. Halloween starts with trick-or-treating in the morning and ends in the evening with a Zombie Fashion show for the not so faint-hearted.

Children of all ages are invited to a party that includes festive crafts, fun Halloween stories and songs. Highlights include a costume contest for the young kids and a spooky Horrific Halloween party with Eric the Magician for the older ones.

After dark, teens and adults can stick around and see the ALP turn into a hotspot for the un-dead!  A screening of original films, a round of zombie trivia and The Zombie Fashion show cap off the event. (check the ALP WEBSITE for calendar of all Halloween activities and for details)

Tickets must be purchased in advance for each event. Open to members and non-members.

Ages: ALL, depending on activity.
When? Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10am–8:30pm for Halloween party.
Where? 10, Rue du Général Camou, 75007 Paris.
Tel: 01 53 59 12 60
Transportation: Metro: Ecole Militaire, Alma-Marceau; RER C: Pont de l’Alma
Price: Day fee: €5 Library members / €15 for non-members. Every child and adult attending must have a ticket.

Wholesome Halloween Thrills…

Halloween at Disneyland Paris

Count on Disneyland Paris to provide hair-raising Halloween fun for parents and their little pumpkins from September 28 to November 3, 2019.  This year, a haunted veil is cast over Fantasyland to provide endless attractions such as Phantom Manor and the re-opened Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  There are parades to mesmerize you, rides to make you shiver, and Disney characters disguised in costume for devilish fun! Don’t miss the new show live show starring its Disney villains in “Are You Brave Enough?” The Halloween spirit culminates with TWO bewitching Halloween soirées featuring the Disney Villains on October 31st.

INSPIRELLE tips: There’ll be lots of trick-or-treaters, so reserve and arrive early to avoid long lines. Costumes are encouraged, but no super spooky make-up that could frighten children, no mask that completely covers the face, no accessory that resembles a weapon—and, if you choose to dress up as one of the Disney characters, the park asks you not to sign any autographs!

Ages: ALL, depending on attraction.
When? October 31, 2019, Entrance to park at 5 pm with an evening ticket. Party scheduled from 8 pm to 2 am
Where? 1, Rue de la Galmy, 77700 Chessy, France.
Transportation: RER A from Paris or the Disneyland Paris Express.
Price: €70 per adult and per child 3 to 11. Free for children under 3. 

Pick and Carve Your Own Jack ‘O Lanterns…

Fête de la Citrouille (Pumpkin Festival) at Ferme de Gally

Did you know that just outside of Paris you can pick your own pumpkin from the patch at the Ferme de Gally? Tickets include entry to the vegetable and fruit farm, a visit to the petting zoo and insect trail and a pumpkin of your own. (Expert pumpkin carvers can also just buy a pumpkin from their store and bring it home.) And why not take advantage of the wide selection of apples, salads and flowers in season to have fun picking!

Ages: 5 and up
When? October 26-31, 2019, open every day until 5:30 pm
Where? Ferme de Gally farms in Saint-Cyr-l’École (Rue du Docteur Vaillant – 78210 in your GPS) and Sartrouville (33 rue de Chatou 78500).
Price: €12,50 for children 5 and up, €4,60 for adults

A Rockin’ Halloween for Kids and Adults…

Hard Rock Café Li’l Monsters and Rockin’ Dead Parties

If you’re looking to celebrate Halloween in a non-American fashion, why not hit the Hard Rock Café?

For Kids: Little monsters and sorcerers can indulge in a monster make-up workshop, enjoy live animation, decorate their own donuts and celebrate the Day of the Dead over breakfast!
When? Sunday, October 27, 2019, 8h45 am–11:45am.
Price: €10/child €21/adult

For Adults: Grown-ups have their own spooky costume party on Halloween night with a themed party paying tribute to Legends of Horror. Dress Code: Chucky, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Samara Morgan, IT or Scream…They can sip diabolical cocktails and dance away to the devil’s beat with DJ “GEEK”.
When? October 31, 2019 from 8 pm–1am.

Where? 14, Boulevard Montmartre 75009 Paris.
Transportation: Metro: Richelieu Drouot (lines 9 & 8)
Reservations: Tel +33(0)1 53 24 60 00 or Email: paris_sales5@hardrock.com 

A Really Scary Haunted House…

Asylum Nightmare at the Manoir de Paris

What’s Halloween without a haunted house to scare the wits out of you? Inspired by the legends of Paris, from the catacombs and vampires to the Phantom of the Opera, the Manoir de Paris (Paris Manor) is a spooky theatrical experience brought to life by over 100 professional actors. This year, the Manoir becomes the Manoir Asylum to plunge you into the darkest realms of your imagination. The animated, interactive show is not for the young (you must be 12+) or the weak at heart.

INSPIRELLE tip: Book tickets in advance, especially if you plan to go on Halloween weekend, or select another date to reduce your waiting time at the entrance. Makeup and costumes are encouraged, but masks that cover the face and accessories that resemble weapons are prohibited.

Ages: 12+
When? October 4 – November 17th, 2019. For daily opening times and reservations, consult theirWEBSITE.

Where? 18, rue de Paradis 75010 Paris

Creepy crawlies and more …

Halloween at the Zoo

Snakes, bats, spiders, wolves…all the classic Halloween creatures are alive and well at the Parc Zoologique de Paris. For Halloween, come meet these fascinating animals up close and personal and separate fact from fiction. The zoo will be specially decorated for the holiday and experts are on hand to help you overcome your fears. Halloween day offers special “shiver” tours with scary stories, trick-or-treating for les bonbons, pumpkin carving a make-up stand and don’t miss the Blob zone.  Children who come disguised receive a discount on their tickets.

Halloween Visit and Tour:
Ages: all
When? October 31, 2019 from 10 am onwards
Where? Parc Zoologique de Paris, Route de la ceinture du lac Daumesnil, 75012 Paris
Price: €20/adult, €15/child (if in costume, a 20 percent discount)

Explore nature and the supernatural…

Halloween Nature Festival at the Maison de la Pêche et de la Nature

Passionate about nature and the supernatural? The Fishing and Nature Center in Levallois is hosting over a week of Halloween-theme activities. In addition to pumpkin-carving workshops, on October 31 is the Grand Halloween Ball featuring, music, mini-shows, a costume contest and a rocking dance party until the clock strikes twelve. Then on November 2, enjoy a Halloween “After Party” with a Night of Spooky Games.

INSPIRELLE tip: Space is limited, so tickets must be reserved in advance. To purchase and for more information, consult their WEBSITE.

Workshops:
Ages: 6+
When: October 21-31, 2019 4:30 pm–6 pm
Where: Espace Maison Pêche et Nature, Ile de la Jatte 22, allée Claude Monet 92300 Levallois-Perret
Transportation: Métro ligne 3 “Pont de Levallois”
Price: €15/participant Accompanying adults free

Grand Halloween Ball:
Ages: All
When: October 31, 2019, 7 pm–Midnight
Where: Espace Maison Pêche et Nature, (address same as above)
Price: €15, includes 1 complimentary beverage (Children under 4 accompanied by an adult are free)