Carved pumpkins, witches, ghosts, costumes and mountains of candy…
Every year, as October 31st approaches, Halloween reappears with a whole world of imagery that we now know almost by heart.
But behind this extremely popular holiday lies a much older and, above all, much more complex history than a simple tradition from the United States.
So, why do we actually celebrate Halloween?
It all starts long before the pumpkins
The roots of Halloween are generally associated with Samhain , an ancient Celtic festival celebrating the transition from the harvest season to the darker time of the year.
During this transitional period, beliefs held a special place for the spirit world. Fires were lit and some people disguised themselves, particularly to protect themselves from the supernatural presences associated with this time.
We were still a long way from the sweets and pumpkins we know today.
From Samhain to All Hallows' Eve
Over the centuries, pre-Christian traditions and Christian celebrations have gradually become intertwined.
All Saints' Day, celebrated on November 1st, is also called in English All Hallows' Day.
The evening preceding it then becomes All Hallows' Eve — literally the eve of All Saints' Day.
Over time, the name contracts.
All Hallows' Eve becomes… Halloween.
And why do we carve pumpkins?
Here is another tradition that was not, originally, exactly the one we know today.
In the British Isles, and particularly in Ireland, traditional sculpting was more common… turnips.
The tradition of Jack-o'-lanterns is notably associated with Irish folklore and the legend of "Stingy Jack", condemned to wander with an ember placed in a hollowed-out turnip to light his way.
When these traditions crossed the Atlantic with Irish and Scottish migrations, another vegetable gradually took hold: the pumpkin.
Larger and, above all, much easier to dig, it becomes one of the most recognizable symbols of Halloween.
And what about the sweets in all of this?
Here again, tradition has evolved considerably.
Various European practices already involved going from house to house, sometimes in costume, to receive food in exchange for prayers, songs, or small performances.
But the trick or treating as we know it today became established primarily in North America during the 20th century.
From the 1950s onwards, its popularity grew significantly and individually wrapped sweets gradually took center stage in children's baskets.
Halloween then becomes the great popular and food-filled festival that we know today.
A celebration that has never stopped transforming itself
Perhaps that's ultimately what makes Halloween so fascinating.
A festival linked to the end of the harvest and the transition to winter became intertwined with Christian traditions, crossed centuries and the Atlantic, and then transformed according to different cultures.
Today, Halloween is as much a children's holiday as it is an excuse to imagine decorations, parties and… culinary experiences that are a little different.
And on this last point, L'Archipel certainly had some ideas.
When Halloween comes to the table at L'Archipel
This year, we decided to celebrate Halloween a few days before October 31st.
Join us on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m., for L'Archipel's Halloween Brunch.
And for the occasion, even the buffet has changed its identity.
You’ll find here: Cursed Kougelhopf and Haunted Croissants, pumpkin decorating workshop, bewitching potion bar, seafood from the abyss, "Cursed Pumpkin", mini burger "Vampire Carpaccio" or even "Haunted Forest" bruschetta.
On the hot food side, you can discover the Witches' Autumn Brew with pumpkin and chestnut, the Pumpkin Brain — a beef bourguignon served in a pumpkin —, the Kraken Tentacles or the Bloody Risotto.
And since a Halloween without treats would inevitably be missing something, a veritable festival of desserts will conclude the brunch: waffles, crepes, pancakes, hot chocolate, chocolate mousse, macarons, Paris-Brest, chestnut crème brûlée or our "Brain" rice pudding with its red fruit coulis.
Halloween Brunch – Sunday, October 25, 2026
From 11:30 am to 13:30 pm
€59 including VAT per person
Reduced price for children under 12 years old
Hot drinks, mineral waters and fruit juices included.
