Easter, or Pâques in French, is one of the most meaningful celebrations in France. It is, of course, a religious holiday, but it is also deeply rooted in family life and shared traditions — including for families who are not particularly religious. Thanks to Easter Monday being a national holiday, France enjoys a long weekend that naturally encourages gatherings, meals, and time together.
During Easter, families often reunite around generous tables, children eagerly participate in egg hunts, and homes are decorated to welcome the return of spring. It is a moment of renewal, both symbolic and very tangible.
Easter in France
In France this beautiful celebration blends centuries of tradition with the joy of spring. Towns come alive with church bells, colourful markets, and beautifully decorated shop windows full of chocolate treats. Families enjoy long weekend meals, while travellers discover quieter landmarks, budding gardens, and regional customs. Whether you love food, history, or celebrating outdoors, it’s a wonderfully festive moment to visit.
Why go to France for Easter
- Famous chocolatiers and themed displays
- Public holiday and relaxed pace
- Scenic castles and countryside in bloom
- Traditional food, masses, and markets
What does “Pâques” mean?
The word Pâques comes from the Latin pascha, itself derived from the Hebrew Pesah, meaning “passage” or “passing over.” In Jewish tradition, it refers to Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. According to the Christian Gospel, it was during this period that Jesus rose from the dead, giving Easter its central meaning in Christianity.
French makes a subtle distinction:
- La Pâque (singular, feminine) refers to the Jewish Passover.
- Pâques (plural, without article) refers to the Christian celebration of Easter.
To make things even more confusing, Pâques behaves grammatically both as a masculine singular when referring to the religious event, and as a feminine plural when talking about the season or the festivities around it:
- Joyeuses Pâques (Happy Easter)
- Pâques pluvieuses (Rainy Easter)
Even native speakers sometimes smile at this linguistic puzzle.
French Easter or American Easter
Easter in France and the United States shares themes of family gatherings and spring celebration, but traditions differ. France highlights chocolatiers, church bells, and multi-course meals, while the U.S. leans into Easter egg hunts, parades, and bright decorations. France feels rooted in centuries-old customs; the American version is often more playful, colourful, and community-focused, especially for children.
Differences + similarities
- Chocolate bells (France) vs chocolate bunnies (U.S.)
- Strong regional food traditions (France)
- Larger outdoor egg hunts (U.S.)
- Public holiday Monday (France)
- Parades like New York’s (U.S.)
- Church bells “fly to Rome” story (France)
- Emphasis on brunch (U.S.)
- Cathedral services both countries
- Commercial decor more visible (U.S.)
- Family meals and sweets everywhere
Easter Holidays and Spring Break in France
In everyday language, French people often refer to spring break as les vacances de Pâques or les vacances de printemps. These school holidays last two weeks and vary by region, as France is divided into several academic zones to stagger travel across the country. Depending on the year, they usually fall between April and early May.
No Easter Bunny… but Flying Bells
How does France celebrate easter ? One of the most charming French Easter traditions is the absence of the Easter Bunny. Instead, French children grow up believing in les cloches de Pâques — the Easter bells.
According to Catholic tradition, church bells fall silent between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in remembrance of Christ’s death. Popular folklore explains that during this time, the bells fly to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. When they return, they scatter chocolate eggs and treats across gardens and homes, to the delight of children.
While the Easter Bunny exists in neighboring countries and in regions with Germanic cultural influences (such as Alsace), bells remain the central symbol of Easter in most of France.
French Easter traditions :the Easter Egg Hunt – la Chasse aux Œufs
On Easter Sunday morning, children rush outside for la chasse aux œufs. Chocolate eggs, hens, lambs, bells, and sometimes bunnies are hidden in gardens, parks, or inside homes. In the past, families used real eggs, boiled and dyed with natural ingredients like onion skins or plants. Today, chocolate has largely taken over — much to children’s relief.
Egg hunts are adapted to children’s ages, and many towns organize public events, reinforcing the communal spirit of the celebration.
Easter traditions in France – Why eggs?
Eggs have long symbolized life, rebirth, and renewal. Several traditions coexist:
- Early Christians dyed eggs red to symbolize Christ’s blood.
- Some see the egg as representing the sealed tomb.
- More practically, eggs were forbidden during Lent, creating a surplus by Easter — which then had to be used.
Whatever the origin, eggs became a natural symbol of Easter and spring.
The traditional Easter meal: L’Agneau pascal
Easter lunch is traditionally centered around lamb (l’agneau pascal). The lamb symbolizes sacrifice in Christian tradition, but also new life, perfectly aligned with the season.
The table is often decorated with spring flowers, fresh greens, yellows, and pastel colors. Meals typically begin with seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, followed by roasted lamb served with green beans, flageolets, or garden vegetables. Desserts are less codified — chocolate treats usually take center stage, sometimes accompanied by the first strawberries of the year or a festive cake.
Experiencing Easter through immersion with FITH
Easter is one of the most meaningful times to experience French culture from the inside. Through French Immersion at Teacher’s Home (FITH), learners can spend Easter living with a certified French teacher and their family, taking part in real traditions rather than observing them from afar.
During the Easter period, FITH teachers may offer:
- shared family meals and Easter cooking
- visits to local markets and bakeries preparing seasonal specialties
- participation in Easter egg hunts or village celebrations
- natural language practice through everyday life and cultural rituals
Now that you know how is easter celebrated in France, we are waiting for you to join us. This kind of immersion allows learners not only to improve their French, but also to truly feel the rhythm, values, and warmth of French life at a special moment of the year.
Easter in France is about much more than chocolate. It is about family, renewal, shared meals, language, and tradition — all best experienced from the inside.
Joyeuses Pâques !
