Halloween At Tropical Parc: Balinese Ogoh-ogoh In The Heart Of Morbihan
Looking to celebrate Halloween without settling for the same old pumpkin candies? Head over to Tropical Parc, the Breton "garden of the five continents" that's going all out, even featuring two giant Balinese demons, from October 18th to November 2nd!
A Breton park that offers travel without a passport
In Saint-Jacut-les-Pins, located between Rennes and Nantes, Tropical Parc has been unfolding over 7 hectares of greenhouses, bamboo groves, and colorful aviaries for more than thirty-five years. Each year, 100,000 visitors pass through, including 10,000 schoolchildren. From the entrance, one flits from one continent to another: a Thai garden, a Mexican rose garden, or an Australian zone where wallabies bounce around peacefully. In short, it's a trip around the world... in flip-flops or rain boots, depending on the Breton weather.
Halloween, but not like back home
From October 18 to November 2, the site renames itself "Halloween of the World". The idea? To show how fears, spirits, and celebrations differ across the tropics, in Asia, or in Africa. The result: nearly 200 pumpkins, about thirty automatons (witches, skeletons, ghosts), as well as Chinese lanterns, Mexican masks in the style of Día de los Muertos, and Oceanian totems. The decor changes every year to surprise regular visitors.
The Ogoh-Ogoh: When Bali Comes to Brittany
This is the 2025 novelty. Two Ogoh-Ogoh statues from Bali, several meters tall, made of bamboo, wood, and papier-mâché, stand amidst the palm trees. Usually, these monsters parade on the eve of Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, to scare away evil spirits. This is the first time they are displayed in a European botanical garden. Guaranteed souvenir photos: it's impossible to miss these grimacing giants with their vibrant colors.
Scenes from the five continents beneath the autumn leaves
Between two scares, we stroll. Thai temple topped with glazed tiles, Mexican pergola covered with bougainvillea, giant bamboos from the Asian forest: each path tells a story. For botany enthusiasts, the park features more than 3,000 exotic species. An additional eco-friendly touch: the management focuses on conservation, as seen with the Wollemi pines (real living fossils) or the prehistoric tree ferns from the Jurassic Garden.
100 parrots above your head
Every day at 3:30 PM, the sky of Morbihan fills with Blue Macaws, cockatoos, and Sun Conures. The free flight show involves about a hundred birds raised with positive reinforcement. Right after, at 4:30 PM, it's snack time: one can closely observe the hooked beaks and rainbow plumage. Good to know: according to the Bird Protection League, these educational shows enhance awareness (72% of the audience claims to better understand biodiversity after the visit*).
Non-stop Entertainment: Wandering Pumpkins & Chilling Quizzes
From October 22 to November 2, jugglers, giant bubbles, and "Funny Birds" take over the alleys. Children keep an eye out for the mascot Dino the T-rex between 11:30 am and noon, then rush off to solve the Great Horror Game: a blind-test of movie soundtracks, mythical creature quizzes, with little surprises in store. No extra charge: everything is included in the admission ticket.
October 31st: Nocturnal Hypnosis & Fire Show
On Halloween evening, the park closes exceptionally at 8 p.m. The program includes: a mini horror film shot on location, a hypnosis show (guaranteed chills without exceeding the PG-13 limit), and a large pyrotechnic display at 6:30 p.m. The makeup artist "Witch Scribbler" turns both kids and adults into smiling vampires. Visitors can also enjoy paths lit in the style of Balinese lanterns, creating a magical, almost intimate atmosphere.
Jurassic vibes before the dino's hibernation
It's impossible to leave Tropical Parc without going through the Jurassic Garden. Twenty-five animated dinosaurs roar among giant ferns and fossilized trunks from 200 million years ago. Highlight for 2025: the first natural French reproduction of Wollemi pines can be seen, a botanical feat. Final nod: Dino, the Tyrannosaurus mascot, will take his final bow on November 2nd before "sleeping" all winter.
Practical information: dates, prices, access
When? From October 18 to November 2, 2025, 11 am-7 pm (8 pm on the 31st).
How much? €18.50 adult, €12.50 child (3-12 years).
Where? Laugarel, 56220 Saint-Jacut-les-Pins, 55 min from Rennes, 50 min from Nantes, free parking.
Last entry: 4:30 pm.
Tip: Consider an e-ticket to avoid the line, especially on October 31st.
Why rush this year? Three quantifiable reasons
1) According to the Observatory of Local Leisure, 68% of French families are looking for a "local" outing during the All Saints' holiday; Tropical Parc ticks that box. 2) Google searches for "Halloween Brittany" have surged by 40% in 2024: the niche is popular, so it's better to have a distinctive event. 3) The Ogoh-Ogoh will only be visible this autumn: a first, and perhaps a unique, opportunity to see them without flying.
Nota Bene: the Ogoh-Ogoh symbolize the purification of negative energies in Bali; after Halloween, they will likely be put away backstage, so enjoy the present moment.
