Isolation is a frequent theme. Many French horror stories are set in remote places like old castles, deep forests or small villages cut off from the outside world. This isolation amplifies the horror as the characters have no immediate help. Madness is also a common thread. Characters may gradually lose their sanity due to the horror they experience, as seen in 'The Horla'. And of course, the theme of the past coming back to haunt the present, whether it's an old family secret or a historical wrong.
One horror story could be about a student on an exchange in France who got lost in a very old and confusing part of Paris while trying to find their host family's home. They didn't have a working phone at the time and no one around seemed to speak English. It was a very scary experience as it was getting dark and they had all their luggage with them.
Many French horror short stories are masterful in their use of language. The descriptions are detailed and evocative, which helps to create a vivid picture of the horror in the reader's mind. They might also draw on French cultural and historical elements, such as the superstitions and legends that have been passed down through the generations, to enhance the horror factor.
There are stories of a phantom jazz musician. Legend has it that in a certain alley in the French Quarter, late at night, you can hear the faint sound of a saxophone playing a melancholic tune. But when you go to look, there's no one there. It's said to be the ghost of a talented musician who met a tragic end in that very alley.
Charles Perrault also wrote some stories with horror elements. His 'Bluebeard' is a well - known story that has a sense of horror and mystery. He was one of the early writers to contribute to this genre in French literature.
In French horror stories, 'The Phantom of the Opera' is also quite famous. Although it has been adapted into many forms, the original story has elements of horror. The disfigured Phantom lurking in the catacombs beneath the opera house, his obsession with the beautiful soprano Christine, all create a spooky and somewhat terrifying atmosphere.
One horror story could be that the french drain was not properly installed. For example, the slope was incorrect. Instead of water flowing away from the house as it should, it started pooling near the foundation, leading to water seeping into the basement. It caused mold growth and damaged stored items in the basement.
One horror story is about the extremely harsh training. Recruits are pushed to their physical and mental limits. In the desert training, they have to endure searing heat, lack of water, and sleep deprivation. Some recruits have suffered from heatstroke and dehydration, and the unforgiving environment can make a person feel like they are in a living hell.
One horror story could be about a French bulldog that got lost during a thunderstorm. It was terrified and ran into a busy road. Cars screeched to a halt but it was so panicked that it kept running and was almost hit several times. Eventually, it hid in a drainage ditch and it took hours for the owner to find it, fearing the worst all that time.
Language problems are very common. For example, misinterpreting signs or instructions can lead to all kinds of trouble. I knew someone who ended up at the wrong end of town because they misread a bus sign. Another common one is having issues with accommodation. Maybe the place is not as described, like being too cold or having a really noisy neighbor.