Gailloween — Shivers and Mysteries at the Château de Gaillon

Halloween in the heart of a historic castle

Since 2022, the Château de Gaillon — a jewel of the French Renaissance and a listed historic monument — has been transforming every autumn into a theater of shivers and mysteries for Gailloween. During the Toussaint holidays, the vaulted halls, inner courtyards, and gardens of this ancient castle become the setting for an immersive adventure blending local history, legends, and horror.

Gailloween's originality lies in its heritage roots: each edition draws on the real history of the Château de Gaillon to weave a fantastic narrative. In 2024, the scenario plunged visitors into 1634, two years after the 'atrocities of the Beast of Gaillon,' when the archiepiscopal castle was struck by mysterious phenomena: disappearances, murders, and monstrosities. In 2025, the universe will blend enchantment and fantasy, where history and fantasy merge in captivating settings.

Activities for all ages

Gailloween offers a varied program designed for all audiences, from the youngest to thrill-seekers. Visitors can immerse themselves in interactive investigations where they must solve riddles to uncover the castle's secrets, participate in candlelit night tours through the monument's dark halls, and attend magic shows and scary tales narrated in near darkness by professional storytellers.

Children can enjoy witch hunts and bone-chilling hunts suitable for ages 5 and up, treasure hunts, and creative workshops. Teenagers and adults can take on tougher challenges such as murder mysteries, investigations into the castle's rabid rats, or vampire hunts. The 2024 edition notably featured 'The Ink Drinkers,' a secret society whose horrifying stories were told in complete darkness.

Growing success in the cultural landscape of Eure

Since its creation, Gailloween has enjoyed growing success, attracting nearly 2,800 visitors over fifteen days of activities during the 2023 edition. The event takes place on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the Toussaint holidays, as well as on Halloween evening, October 31st, with mandatory online booking. It is part of the initiative to promote the Château de Gaillon led by Agglo Seine-Eure and the Tourist Office, making this monument a vibrant center of culture and heritage throughout the year.

With its successful blend of thrills, history, and family fun, Gailloween has established itself as the most original Halloween event in the Eure region, proving that Norman castles know how to be scary too.