Paris - France's Christian leaders made a last-ditch attempt yesterday to dissuade revellers from celebrating the imported US holiday of Hallowe'en, condemning it as a pagan ritual and a celebration of Satan.
But their calls had little impact. Shops decked out in orange and black offered fancydress competitions, pumpkin-decorating displays and facepainting for children, while nightclubs throughout France planned festive discos.
Both Catholic and Protestant church spokesmen hit out against the festival.