halloween

halloween, pronounced "ah-lo-een" by the french was virtually unknown here until late 1990s. however, the popularity have started to wear-off. i remember years ago (2001), at monoprix one can find several sizes of pumpkin. last year & this year i haven't seen a single pumpkin. they only have the chocolate kinder surprise as their only halloween merchandize.

many people thinks that halloween is originated in america. actually, halloween started among the celts in ireland as a pagan celtic harvest festival. oh yes, halloween is originated from europe. the irish immigrants in america introduced such tradition in u.s. of a.

halloween french-style.... the best place to visit -- cementeries where tombs are lavishly decorated with flowers and personal items. one can try to enjoy etching grave stones, reading elderly epitaphs and taking eerie photos. the most famous cementery in paris is père lachaise cementery. graves of famous people like: frédéric chopin, georges bizet, honoré de balzac, marcel proust, oscar wilde, jim morrison, etc.

then there is a tour of the catacombs. i guess, this is the best halloween one can experience. lol it is evaluated that there are 6 million people rest in the catacombs.


practical information:

Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
16 rue de Repos
75020 Paris


Catacombes de Paris
1 avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguay
75014 Paris