Egg Hunts with a French Twist: Unique Easter Traditions Across France

February 20, 2024

Looking to add some French joie de vivre to your Easter celebrations this year? Join us as we crack open delightful Easter traditions across France, from colorful chocolates to egg hunts with a unique twist. This springtime Easter in France 2024 guide promises tips to infuse your holiday with that iconic French flair. From colorful Easter markets overflowing with artisanal chocolates to countryside egg hunts and traditional Easter meals, France has so much to offer during this festive weekend getaway.

When is Easter 2024?

Easter Sunday in 2024 falls on March 31st. The full Holy Week leading up to Easter, known in France as La Semaine Sainte, begins on Palm Sunday (March 24th) and runs through until Easter Monday France (April 1st).

History of Easter in France 2024

While France doesn’t have quite as many quirky Easter traditions as the UK, the French celebrate Easter in their own fabulous way. Easter itself is a Christian holiday marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but many classic French Easter customs also have pagan origins celebrating the arrival of Spring. These pagan rituals were later incorporated into Easter festivities.

The most enduring pagan symbol of Easter and Spring is the egg. Decorating eggs dates back over 5000 years. The egg as a symbol of fertility, rebirth and the circle of life corresponds perfectly with the Resurrection theme of Easter.

Historians believe decorating and coloring eggs for Easter originated in ancient Persia. From there it spread across countries along the Mediterranean via early Christians.

The egg coloring tradition likely made its way from Persia to France along ancient trade routes. While we don’t know exactly when the French began adopting this tradition, we do know that King Edward I of England had over 450 decorated eggs delivered to him in 1290 – suggesting the custom had already spread across Europe by then.

So, while colored and decorated eggs have a long history stemming from pagan roots, the French have fully embraced them as a way to celebrate Easter and the onset of Spring.

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What to Expect in Easter Weekend 2024 in France

During your Easter visit to France, you can expect to find delightful Easter markets, or marchés de Pâques, packed with artisanal chocolates, fresh flowers, and other seasonal specialties. Many towns and cities also host colorful Easter parades featuring whimsical costumes and floats.

Paris hosts a magical Easter market on Boulevard Raspail in the 7th arrondissement stuffed to the brim with elaborate Easter chocolates, adorable Easter gifts, vibrant Spring flowers, French crafts and special Easter-themed macarons. It’s a perfect place to pick up some authentic French Easter treats or gifts!

Cannes also hosts an extensive Easter week market boasting over 200 vendor stalls sprawled along the glittering seafront Promenade de la Croisette. Browse Easter chocolates, Provençal olive oils, lavender products from across Provence, and vibrant early-blooming mimosa flowers.

Of course, the French also celebrate Easter with gorgeous family meals on Easter Sunday, often featuring lamb and other classic dishes. You may even spot Easter egg hunts, or chasses aux œufs, taking place around town squares and parks across France!

What is an Easter Egg Hunt in France 2024?

The tradition of Easter egg hunts in France is much like those in the UK and other countries. Parents will cleverly hide chocolate eggs, candy, small toys and coins around the house or garden for children to discover – often while excitedly exclaiming “J’ai trouvé un œuf de Pâques!” (I found an Easter Egg!).

Egg hunts take place on Easter Sunday itself or on Easter Monday, which is a bank holiday in France. Easter egg hunts are known as chasses aux œufs (egg hunts) or Pâques à l’oeuf (Easter eggs).

Easter in France Traditions: From Easter egg trees to flying church bells, France has some unique and quirky Easter Sunday traditions! Here are a few highlights:

Easter Egg Trees: In parts of Eastern France, you may come across colorfully decorated Easter egg trees. People hang hollowed real eggs, wooden eggs, or hand-crafted egg ornaments from the bare branches of local trees.

Easter Bells in France (Flying): There is a popular folk tale that all the church bells in France “fly off to Rome” on the evening of Maundy Thursday before Easter. Where do they go? Supposedly the bells fly off to see the Pope and return home to France on Easter morning bringing chocolate, presents and colorful eggs for French children!

Some church bell towers will even play into this story and stop ringing their bells on Maundy Thursday. Then they’ll triumphantly start ringing once again on Easter Sunday in France.

Easter Fires: It’s an age-old French Easter tradition in many country villages and towns to light a big “Easter Fire” on the evening of Holy Saturday. Everyone gathers around the crackling fire, representing Jesus rising from the dead, to celebrate the end of Lent and the coming of Easter. Relish all these mouth-watering delicacies during Easter in France 2024 with a TLS France Visa. Apply now!

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Easter in France Food 2024– Go on a French Culinary Spree

From delicious lamb dishes to sweet chocolatey treats, here are some of the most popular culinary Easter traditions in France you can take part in during your visit!

Classic French Easter Meals: The most classic French Easter meal will feature succulent leg of lamb, often with white beans or other spring vegetables. Fish also makes traditional Easter fare, with delights like poached salmon or monkfish often on the table.

Of course, no celebratory meal in France is complete without good wine! Uncork a fruity Beaujolais red or floral Loire Valley white to perfectly complement your savory Easter feast during Easter in France 2024.
Chocolate Éclairs: You simply can’t celebrate Easter in France without nibbling on delectable chocolate éclairs! These classic pastry puffs are topped with rich chocolate ganache icing. Divine! Easter chocolate sweets also include chocolate fish, nuts, and eggs of all sizes.
Bright Macarons: While macarons are wonderful all year round in France, the French often bake up cheerful pastel-colored, Easter-themed macaron flavors come mid-Spring. Watch for light yellow lemon, pale lavender, or robin’s egg blue pistachio macarons.

These are some delicious and interesting things to eat during Easter in France. So, don’t miss them while visiting France on Easter!

Top Places for Celebrating Easter in France 2024

While every corner of France hosts lovely Easter celebrations, here are three particularly magical destinations to visit for Easter:

1.) Easter Weekend in Paris 2024

Paris at Easter time simply can’t be beat! Stroll through Luxembourg Garden and watch children hunting for eggs while admiring blooming daffodils. Check out Easter chocolates from top artisan chocolatiers like Patrick Roger or Jean-Paul Hévin. Don’t miss the colorful Easter parade winding from St Gervais Church.

Make your way to Notre Dame Cathedral, adorned with magnificent flower displays throughout Holy Week and Easter Sunday services. These are a wondrous setting to mark this religious holiday!

No Easter in Paris is complete without strolling past the elaborately decorated department store front windows! Galeries Lafayette designs whimsical, often animal-themed Easter scenes. Le Bon Marché also has delightful Easter window displays with this year’s featuring giant Faberge-style eggs. Experience a wonderful Easter in France with loved ones. All you need is a French visa to get started!

2.) Easter in Nice France

Visit Nice on the sunny Côte d’Azur for delightful Mediterranean Easter vibes! This coastal city hosts one of France’s most vibrant parades on Easter Sunday. Witness elaborate floats decorated with tropical flowers and decked-out donkeys. Pick up picnic supplies at the bustling Cours Saleya Easter market beforehand!

While in Nice for Easter, don’t miss the impressive floral cross displays. These are made from white carnations and vivid red anthuriums around Place Masséna and Promenade du Paillon. Nice also hosts an Easter Regatta sailboat race if you want to celebrate Easter weekend seaside!

3.) Easter Weekend Getaway in Alsace

Head to the charming Alsace region where every village and town center will be brimming with:

Beautiful handmade crafts
Sweet Easter chocolates, and
Joyous celebrations during the Easter weekend

Shop the picturesque markets then unwind at a winstub or café terrace with crisp white wine and flammekueche tarte.

The hilltop village of Riquewihr puts on an especially memorable Easter market! Dating back to 1597, this cobblestoned village looks straight out of a storybook. Its Easter market has artisans selling embroidered linen goods, painted glassware and wooden toys. Apart from these, you’ll also come across ceramic painted eggs that have been crafted locally for generations!

Conclusion

This Easter, why not escape to France for a taste of their one-of-a-kind Easter festivities and traditions?

From Sunday lunch feasting on French Easter cuisine to hunting for chocolates left by the flying church bells, France promises a truly magical and sweet springtime getaway!

So, why wait? Apply for France Visa from UK today for a magical Easter in France 2024!

FAQ’s

What foods are traditionally eaten in France during Easter?

Classic French Easter fare includes savory main courses featuring leg of lamb or salmon along with seasonal spring vegetables. Popular Easter desserts and sweets include chocolate eggs, fish, nuts and Éclairs as well as colorful macarons in pastel spring flavors.

Where do the Easter egg hunt traditions come from?

Like many Easter customs, egg hunts have pagan origins tied to symbolizing the arrival of Spring. Decorating and gifting eggs dates back over thousands of years across many cultures. The playful modern French twist is of course those mischievous flying church bells delivering chocolate eggs!

What dates should I request off work to visit France over Easter?

To fully experience Holy Week and Easter weekend celebrations in France, schedule vacation days starting from Palm Sunday (March 24th, 2024) through Easter Monday (April 1st, 2024). This allows you to see all the fantastic events build-up right through the height of the Easter festivities.

What Easter gifts or food from France should I bring home to friends?

Edible French souvenirs make fantastic Easter gifts! Bring back artisanal chocolates, colorful macarons, or even bottles of fruity French wine to share the French holiday spirit. Mini Easter chocolates shaped like French landmarks also make sweet French-inspired gifts.

Where can I watch the best Easter parade in France?

Some of France’s biggest and most fabulous Easter parades take place in Nice, Cannes, and of course Paris! Check city tourism boards for the parade schedules and routes to catch all the pomp, elaborate floats and costumed marching bands. Deck out your Easter bonnet and join in the festive fun!