All Saints’ Day: Don’t Leave Doors and Windows Open on November 1
Each year, on November 1, French families celebrate All Saints’ Day, a day traditionally associated with quiet reflection and memories of loved ones who have passed away. But behind cemetery visits and bouquets of chrysanthemums lie also surprising popular customs, some of which have today nearly vanished. In the past, in certain regions of France, residents took special precautions inside their homes. And one of them concerned directly doors and windows, which it was strongly advised not to leave open at nightfall. A superstition as mysterious as it is fascinating, that invites us into the traditions of our ancestors.
All Saints’ Day: why did our ancestors close all the doors and windows of their home?
Today, opening the windows to refresh indoor air is a completely ordinary act. But in the past, on All Saints’ Eve, some families took care to close all openings of their dwelling. This custom was notably present in Lorraine, where beliefs about the deceased played a significant role in popular traditions. As historian Kévin Goeuriot explains in an article published by BLE Lorraine, residents believed that doors and windows should be kept shut to not disturb the dead. Once the house was closed, everyone stayed indoors to pray and reflect in memory of those who had passed away.
This practice fit into an era when the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead fueled many beliefs. All Saints’ Day and the remembrance of the departed, celebrated the following day, were surrounded by rituals meant to express respect for those who were no longer here. Closing one’s home was then a symbolic gesture, associated with silence and contemplation. It was by no means an official religious rule, but a local superstition passed down from generation to generation. A tradition that shows how popular beliefs once influenced domestic habits.
Laundry forbidden, food on the table: these other forgotten All Saints’ traditions
And that wasn’t the only precaution taken in Lorraine homes! According to BLE Lorraine, some families also avoided doing laundry throughout the entire All Saints’ Week. The reason? An old belief stated that washing clothes during this period could lead to having to wash a dead person’s shroud within the year. A particularly dark superstition, illustrating how even the most ordinary daily actions could be linked to omens. Today, of course, there is no justification for foregoing a load of laundry on November 1.
In some villages of the Upper Pays, north of Lorraine, another tradition involved leaving a glass of wine and a few provisions on the kitchen table. These offerings were symbolically meant for the departed, whom people imagined could return to eat. Families thus maintained a connection with their deceased loved ones, even in the most familiar rooms of the home. These traditions remind us that All Saints’ Day was not only lived in churches and cemeteries, but also through small domestic rituals, sometimes surprising to today’s generations.
All Saints’ Day: do you really have to keep your windows closed on November 1?
In 2026, All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday, November 1. Should you, therefore, follow this old custom and keep all your windows closed at nightfall? Absolutely not! This recommendation belongs to regional folklore and rests on no real danger. There is no reason to fear that an open window could disturb the departed. However, these traditions can be a charming opportunity to rediscover the beliefs that once guided life in French homes, especially as winter approaches.
From a practical standpoint, airing out your home remains essential, even in the cold season. Regularly renewing indoor air helps remove some of the moisture and pollutants that accumulate in rooms. A few minutes of daily ventilation, with duration adjusted to weather conditions, is preferable to windows that are continually shut. And if you want to reconnect with All Saints’ Day traditions, nothing prevents you from creating a soft, warm atmosphere at home, lighting a candle safely, or taking a moment to recall the memory of your loved ones. A more contemporary way to keep the spirit of this holiday alive, without sacrificing the comfort of your interior.
