I’ve always loved the atmosphere of the Halloween holiday… I can’t really tell you why… Maybe because I love the supernatural, unexplained phenomena, or just because the imagination that this holiday evokes remains, for me, a unique moment in the annual calendar.
Anyway, here is my traditional selection of top tips to enjoy during this frightening holiday, which will take place next week, on the night of Saturday, October 31st…
A bit of history:
At the origin of this celebration is Samhain, which marked the end of the Celtic year and provided an opportunity for spirits to come and haunt the homes of the living. For a long time, the Catholic Church sought to get rid of this pagan commemoration.
The Samhain festival (which dates back to the 3rd century BC) included 3 days of solemnities: the 1st dedicated to the memory of heroes, the 2nd to the memory of the deceased, and the 3rd to popular and family celebrations around a banquet.
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Melle Bon Plan’s Parisian selection:
The Manoir de Paris in Halloween mode
You know that I often talk to you about the Manoir de Paris on the blog because it’s a place I enjoy going to (well, that’s a figure of speech). It is, of course, organizing a special event for the occasion.
From October 16th to November 8th, a curse will fall upon the Manoir de Paris. A super production with costumes, special effects, and brand-new sets, featuring a total of 112 actors, 18 dates, and 8 hours of non-stop show every day.
Table of Contents
Friday, October 16th from 6 PM to 10 PM
From October 17th to November 1st every day except Monday, from 2 PM to 10 PM
Friday, November 6th from 6 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, November 7th & Sunday, November 8th from 2 PM to 10 PM
Full price: 25€ / Child price (12/15 years old): 20€
Fast pass: 35€
Show for ages 12 and up
The Manoir de Paris / 18 rue de Paradis 75010 Paris
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The Halloween snack at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysées Hotel
On October 31st, the Paris Marriott Champs Elysées hotel (which I already told you about on the blog this summer for its ice creams) will take on the appearance of a haunted house… From 2 PM to 5 PM, little “monsters” can come accompanied by their parents for a mysterious afternoon full of surprises with a snack and activities themed around Halloween.
Among the activities offered, children will be able to create their own Jack-O’-Lantern during a pumpkin carving workshop. They will have the opportunity to take their creations home and display them on their doorstep, as tradition dictates.
During the afternoon, children and parents can share a snack specially prepared by Ludovic, the hotel’s pastry chef, featuring creations as tasty as they are strange: pumpkin-shaped shortbread, little bat or spider delights, and Mr. Jack macarons.
And to win the best costume contest and get a surprise, children will need to wear their most frightening costume!
To extend the celebration throughout the weekend, the Paris Marriott Champs Elysées hotel will organize a special Halloween brunch on Sunday, November 1st from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
« Trick or Treat »
Halloween Snack
Saturday, October 31st from 2 PM to 5 PM
Price: 20 € per child (Conditions: children 6 years and older and must be accompanied by an adult)
Paris Marriott Champs Elysées Hotel
70 avenue des Champs Elysées 75 008 Paris
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The Disney Halloween Makeup
From October 1st to November 1st, 2015, Disneyland Paris is taking advantage of these 32 days of Halloween to unveil its best tips for creating villainous looks (like Cruella) for young and old alike.
Franck Dubosc, Alizée, Sylvie Tellier, and Sandrine Quétier have all taken part in the “Disney Halloween Makeup” challenge, thanks to the talent of Disneyland Paris’s professional makeup teams. See the results in the images below.
Visitors will be able to experience makeup sessions throughout the month of October thanks to the workshops offered at the Disneyland Park. Head to the Makeup Space located in Fantasyland between the Auberge de Cendrillon and the Sir Mickey shop (makeups 13.99 €).
Also on the program:
- Every morning, Mickey’s Halloween celebration, the colorful autumn-themed mini-parade, Goofy’s candy machine which will distribute treats to visitors, new Halloween costumes, meetings with Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas) in Frontierland, and, of course, fitting decorations.
- In the afternoon: villains take over Disneyland Paris, and for intrepid visitors, meetings with Disney Villains at the Sleeping Beauty Castle Theater for photo sessions!
- The famous Disney Halloween Party on October 31st from 8:30 PM to 1 AM, with shows, parades, meetings with Disney Characters, and multiple surprises.
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Prizoners launches a giant Escape Game in the heart of Paris
For Halloween, Prizoners is presenting its next giant Live Escape Game “The Temple of Evil” which will be held in the Saint-Sabin Cellars, near Bastille, from October 30th to November 1st. More than 1,000 people will be able to participate in the “Temple of Evil,” between chills, riddles, and unsettling characters…
Families and younger ones will also be able to experience it, with two dedicated sessions for them.
The concept: “The Temple of Evil” takes us under the streets of Paris, into a secret temple from the Middle Ages where prisoners and heretics are free to roam. Everywhere, signs of troubled times are appearing and seem to want to condemn all of humanity…
Players, divided into several groups of 5/6 people, will have 60 minutes to find clues and solve riddles and challenges to perhaps succeed in the mission: get out before it’s too late!
Friday, October 30th at 6 PM, 8 PM, and 10 PM
Saturday, October 31st at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM
Sunday, November 1st at 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM
Saturday 10 AM and Sunday 12 PM sessions will be dedicated to families
Price: 35€ per person / Early Birds purchase before October 16th 30€ per person / family sessions, children under 15 years old 25€ per child
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Halloween at Hard Rock Cafe Paris
The Hard Rock Cafe Paris is, of course, also offering great surprises and events to properly celebrate Halloween.
On the program:
- The establishment will send its worthy Halloween representative to roam the streets of Paris on a scooter on Friday, October 30th, and Saturday, October 31st.
- In the evening around 10 PM, a surprise will appear in an atmosphere worthy of Thriller.
- Halloween is also for children, so on Saturday, October 31st, an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet (16€ for children and 29€ for adults) will be served from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with thrills guaranteed!
Hard Rock Café Paris
14, boulevard Montmartre 75009 Paris
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Halloween at the Paris Zoological Park
A special Halloween day will be organized in the park on October 31st with guided tours, makeup workshops, and manual activities for children.
In addition, from October 17th to November 1st, the park will celebrate scary animals (spiders, snakes, bats, wolves, etc.) with a unique tour (by reservation only).
Prices: 22€ for adults / 16.50€ for 12-25 year olds / 14€ for 3-11 year olds
Paris Zoological Park
Open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM
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Memphis Coffee celebrates Halloween with Zomb’ Ice Cream
Memphis Coffee celebrates Halloween with a frosty and scary dessert, the Zomb’ Ice Cream (two scoops of vanilla ice cream breaded on a bed of whipped cream and grenadine syrup, all garnished with chocolate hazelnut spread / price 5.90€) and a photo contest from October 19th to November 1st.
To participate in this contest, simply take a photo of yourself in one of the chain’s 52 restaurants, then post it on Instagram with the hashtag #terrific50s and tag the @MemphiscoffeeFR account.
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Halloween behind the scenes at the Stade de France
From October 30th to November 1st, you can visit behind the scenes of the Stade de France, usually frequented by athletes and artists, transformed for the occasion into a theater of mysteries, overrun by demonic creatures.
Young and old alike will be able to enjoy the numerous activities that will punctuate the evening: makeup stands, badge-making workshops, a fascinating 30-minute magic show in the amphitheater… without forgetting the traditional candy distribution!
Visitors in costume are welcome for a visit even richer in emotions!
October 30th, 31st, and November 1st from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Duration: 1h30
Access via Gate T of the Stade de France
Single price: 15€ / Tribe Pass: 50€ / Free: under 5 years old
Limited number of places / reservations at stadefrance.com
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Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican All Saints’ Day
As part of the Mexico-France Restaurant Festival, the 1K restaurant and the Mezcaleria Bar Clandestino (which I already told you about just here) are organizing special Dia de los Muertos evenings in Paris this weekend to add some Mexican colors to All Saints’ Day.
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October 30th at the 1K restaurant, for a dinner specially concocted for the occasion by two renowned chefs: Julien Burbaud from the 1K restaurant and Angel Vazquez, Mexican chef from the Intro restaurant in Puebla.
- October 31st at the Mezcaleria Bar Clandestino from 6 PM to 2 AM. Several activities with Mexican colors will be offered: a makeup stand for Catrinas (the Catrina is the skull-headed woman, emblem of Dia de Los Muertos), a corner for “Dutzi” jewelry and burlap and leather bags, tastings of Mexican dishes and desserts, including edible grasshoppers, artisanal mezcals, and an electro-latino live concert.
Restaurant 1K and the Mezcaleria Bar Clandestino
3 boulevard du Temple, 75003 Paris
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YouCam Makeup celebrates Halloween with new looks and a contest
To encourage the spirit of creative costuming, Perfect Corp. is organizing a virtual Halloween party and invites its users to participate in the “Strange or Chic” contest.
Since October 12th, 2015, users have been invited to submit their Halloween makeup to try to win a beautiful cosmetic palette. The winners will be chosen at random from among the first 50 registered participants who received the most votes.
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My treats for Halloween
We finish this article with some special Halloween treats found at the Atelier du Chocolat or even at L’Épicurien with the Witch’s Delight jam, a recipe with a surprising pumpkin blend.
Starbucks also offers its Vampire Frappuccino (strawberry syrup and whipped cream with a strawberry drizzle) in a limited edition until October 31st (5.10€).
Big Fernand is also offering a gargantuan and ephemeral burger for Halloween (from October 26th to November 1st): the Belphégor (a French beef patty prepared with crispy fried onions, a double portion of raw milk Tomme de Savoie, chives, and a sweet sauce).
The tip: on Saturday, October 31st, if you come to eat your Belphégor in costume, Big Fernand might have some surprises in store for you…
And finally, I introduce you to John the Ghost in chocolate with marzipan pumpkins at A La Mère de Famille (15€ + 9.50€ for the pumpkins), because I think he’s just too cute!
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All that remains for me is to wish you many fears and thrills for this Halloween period…
