Easter in France: How Do the French Celebrate This Holiday?

Both religious and festive, Easter is a holiday that joyfully marks the arrival of beautiful spring days. But how do the French celebrate it? From Easter egg hunts to family meals, discover the traditions that make Easter a special celebration in France.

What Exactly is Easter?

Easter, which celebrates the Resurrection of Christ, is the most important holiday in Christianity, even more significant than Christmas. It is celebrated after Lent (a 40-day period during which the faithful should not consume eggs or certain rich foods).

But Easter is also a traditional gathering time for families, whether they are religious or not. It’s an ideal opportunity to come together for a family meal and welcome the spring season that is gradually settling in.

Easter always falls on a Sunday, with its date varying each year between March 22nd and April 25th. Since Easter Monday is a public holiday in France, the French eagerly look forward to this cherished three-day weekend!

Did you know?

While Easter Monday is a public holiday throughout France, France remains a secular country, as established by the Law of 1905. This law ensures everyone’s freedom of conscience and the separation of Church and State.

The Easter Egg Hunt in France

For Easter in France, it’s not a rabbit that distributes eggs (except in culturally Germanic regions like Alsace), but magical and mysterious flying bells: the Easter bells. In the Christian tradition, the bells remain silent from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday to commemorate the death of Christ and his resurrection.

Children are told that the bells fly to Rome during this period to be blessed by the Pope. On their return, they leave delicious and colorful chocolate treats all over France. On Easter morning, to their great joy, children go on egg hunts in gardens or homes to collect chocolate eggs, hens, chicks, rabbits, and bells.

Did you know? 

In many French towns, egg hunts are organized in public parks and gardens.

The Traditional Easter Meal: The Paschal Lamb

Most French people celebrate Easter as a time to gather with family and share a convivial meal. They traditionally prepare a leg of lamb (the paschal lamb) and set a beautiful, lively table to honor the long-awaited arrival of spring.

The lamb symbolizes the innocence of Christ. It refers to Jesus who sacrificed himself to redeem the sin of mankind. But it is also consumed during this feast in memory of the lamb sacrificed before the exodus from Egypt.

Eggs, symbols of life and rebirth, also have their place on the table. They can be decorated, made of chocolate, or incorporated into traditional recipes such as the “Easter nest” (“nid de Pâques”) pastry.

Each French region has its unique culinary specialties: for example, in Alsace, they enjoy the Lamele (pronounced “lamala”), a small lamb-shaped cake, and in the Southwest, the Pascade, a kind of thick pancake.

Finally, Easter brings special French markets. It’s a perfect time to buy gifts and support local producers.

The French often use this holiday period for vacations or picnics. As Easter falls in early spring, it often means enjoying sunny weather.

Now you can celebrate Easter like the French! Learn more about French culture in my other articles or by joining La French Zone. Happy Easter!