A reader's guide to Halloween on the Côte d'Azur
Halloween isn't a French tradition, but the Côte d'Azur has embraced it wholeheartedly. With events running from the Toussaint school holidays through to the night itself, spread from Menton in the east to the hinterland villages above Cannes.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, many towns are making a full weekend of it.
Saint-Raphaël runs its Halloween programme from 20 October to 1 November, with shows, workshops, a treasure hunt and scary storytelling, and for those after something more intense, the coast's biggest adult Halloween event: the Zombie Race, a 3.5km run or walk through Cap Estérel while escaping a hundred actors playing the undead.
Cannes goes furthest, with a city-wide programme covering restaurants, bars, cinemas and family activities throughout October. Highlights include a free Grande Fête d'Halloween at Cannes La Bocca on Friday 30 October from 4pm, the P'tits Cannes à You festival running 17–31 October for younger audiences. For adults, themed nights at restaurants and clubs across town on the 31st.
Vence throws one of the better family afternoons on the coast with a free party at Place Clémenceau from 3pm to 8pm on 31 October. You will find a fancy-dress competition at 4pm, a fire show at 5.30pm, a teen party from 6pm and a candy hunt through the town's shops.
Biot transforms the whole village on Friday 31 October from 5pm with a torch-lit parade through the streets, a "Maison de l'Horreur" immersive scare experience, a giant candy drop at Place des Arcades and a fire show to close the evening.
Inland, Valbonne's atmospheric old village hosts the Épouvant'Trail on the night of the 31st, a night trail through the Parc des Bouillides with 8km and 15km routes plus a kids' course starting at 6.15pm (headlamp required).
Nice spreads its activities across the whole school holiday period, with Halloween night itself bringing themed parties across the city for older visitors.
Menton keeps things gentle and family-focused with an afternoon in the Jardins Biovès on 30 October from 1.30pm to 4pm, free entry, games stands, sweets and a drinks stand.
Monaco hosts a family Halloween afternoon at Parc Princesse Antoinette on Saturday 31 October, while just above the Principality, Beausoleil stretches the celebration over four days with "Terror in Charlot," running 28–31 October at the Centre Culturel Prince Jacques de Monaco.
At a glance:
Côte d'Azur, France
Features
Family-friendly afternoons: Vence, Menton and Monaco, all free, all built for younger children
After dark for adults: Cannes' restaurant and club takeovers, Biot's torch-lit village and Saint-Raphaël's Zombie Race
Something active : the Épouvant'Trail night run through Valbonne's Parc des Bouillides
Spread across the holidays : Cannes', Nice's and Saint-Raphaël's programmes run through most of October not just the 31st