10 Fun Traditions During Easter in France (It’s Not All About Chocolate)

When you live in a country, you immerse yourself in the culture, and Easter, like so many other French celebrations, is steeped in tradition. From giant omelets cooked in the streets of a well-known town, which then feed an entire village, to the Easter Bells that fly off to Rome to see the Pope and return on Easter morning, I kid you not. These are just two of the French Easter traditions. I have lots more to share.

It’s no secret that the French love food and there are no celebrations in France without food. Easter is no exception to this rule. Like in many countries, chocolate plays a starring role, and you’ve never seen Easter eggs like it. But it’s not just eggs; they also have chocolate fish, but more on that later.

Some fabulous traditions are observed during Easter in France, and just like Christmas, there are different traditions for different regions of the country.

10 Easter Traditions in France

France loves a good tradition, and Easter is no exception. From festivals and markets to easter egg hunts and traditional food dishes, it’s a fun time to be in France to experience some of the wonderful French culture.

Unlike in the UK, where there are two public holidays for Easter, there is only one in France. In France, Easter Monday is a public holiday; however, Good Friday is not a public holiday nationwide, except in Alsace and Moselle.

It’s similar to the USA, where only twelve states recognize Good Friday as a public holiday.

No 1 The Giant Easter Omelet in Bessières

Every Easter Monday in Bessières, a small town near Toulouse, a giant omelet is cooked in the town square using over 15,000 eggs. This tradition, known as the Fête de l’Omelette Géante, has been part of the town’s Easter celebrations since 1973. The star of the show is a pan so large it takes several people to handle, set over an open fire as the crowd gathers to watch.

The story behind this tradition is tied to Napoleon Bonaparte. During one of his campaigns, he stopped near Bessières and enjoyed an omelet prepared by a local cook. He liked it so much that he ordered a giant version to feed his army the next day, using every egg the villagers could find.

Today, members of the Confrérie de l’Omelette Géante (Brotherhood of the Giant Omelet) lead the event, dressed in traditional uniforms and carefully cracking thousands of eggs into the giant pan. Once it’s ready, it’s served up for free to anyone there.

No 2 French Easter Bells (Les Cloches de Pâques)

In France, the Easter Bunny takes a backseat to something a little different: flying bells. Known as Les Cloches de Pâques, the church bells fall silent from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday to mourn the death of Christ.

But they are silent because they’ve flown off to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. During their journey, they pick up Easter treats, scattering them across gardens and homes on their way back to France in time for Easter Sunday.

When Easter morning arrives, the bells “return,” filling the air with joyful ringing to announce the resurrection. Children race outside for egg hunts, convinced the bells have dropped sweets just for them. While the idea of flying bells might seem a little strange, it’s no stranger than a chocolate Easter Bunny in France.

No 3 Easter Eggs in France (Les Oeufs de Pâques)

We’re not talking about the chocolate variety here; we’ll get onto that in a minute. Eggs are part of Easter in France, and they are all about life and fertility. 

It all started in the 13th century when people offered hard-boiled eggs painted red to represent the blood of Christ. 

Over time, this developed into decorated eggs, such as those offered by Watteau and Lancret to the daughter of Louis XV in the 18th century. They were prominent artists known for their depictions of everyday life, particularly of the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. 

And, of course, there are the famous Fabergé eggs. They took decadence to a whole new level.

Originally commissioned in 1885 by Czar Alexander III, the Hen Egg was the first imperial Easter Egg created by Peter Carl Fabergé.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that chocolate eggs, along with other chocolate delicacies, became part of the Easter celebrations in France.

No 4 Easter Chocolate in France (Le Chocolat de Pâques)

And speaking of chocolate, Easter in France is fun because the chocolatiers here really go to town.  Although chocolate was originally only for royalty or the rich, once it became more common, it became popular very quickly. French hot chocolate was a ritual Louis XV made his own, and it’s beyond decadent, as you’d imagine.

Today, you’ll see the usual chocolate eggs as well as a variety of other chocolate offerings, such as bunnies, chickens, and bells. But they also have small fish and seashells known as “Fritures de Pâques,” a symbol of Christianity.

It’s almost impossible to walk past an artisan chocolatier in France as the window displays make your mouth water.

No 5 The Easter Egg Hunt (La Chasse Aux Oeufs)

Easter Egg hunts in France are huge. Many big chateaux will host an event for the kids to hunt Easter eggs. 

In the 18th century, aristocrats indulged in elaborate Easter egg hunts, with beautifully decorated eggs made from porcelain or precious metals. 

These egg hunts were highly competitive, with participants racing to find the most eggs. It was usually the adults who took part, especially in places like the Court at Versailles.

One of the biggest chateau Easter Egg hunts in my region of France is at Château de Commarque, near Sarlat in the Périgord region.

The Golden Egg Hunt is happening on April 20 & 21st, 2025.

No 6 The Easter Brioche in France – Moana

I never need an excuse to eat Brioche, a lovely, sweet French bread. At Easter, there is a lovely variety called Moana, which is more common in the South of France. 

It’s usually shaped in a crown or dome and flavored with aniseed and sometimes lemon peel or orange flower water.

You’re not supposed to buy it, as the tradition was to make it at home and share it on Easter Sunday. 

But with all the amazing boulangeries here in France, I must admit I wouldn’t attempt to make it fully admit to buying mine.

No 7 Easter Food in France (L’Agneau Pascal)

As with most big events in France, food is always involved, and Easter is no exception. No surprises, there are several courses as you would expect, starting with an apéritif, followed by entrée, main course, salad, cheese, and dessert.  

The main course, (plat), is usually roast lamb served with spring vegetables. I’ve never quite gotten used to the salad that follows the main course in France.  Personally, I’d rather not bother, but it’s traditional, so it would be rude not to partake.

No 8 French Easter cake (Lammala)

Easter Lammala, also known as “Lamala,” “Osterlammele,” or “Agnelou,” is a traditional Easter gênoise biscuit shaped like a lamb popular in the Alsace region of France and some parts of Germany.

The lamb shape of this Easter Cake represents Jesus Christ, often referred to as the “Lamb of God” in Christian symbolism, signifying purity, innocence, and sacrifice.

It’s backed in a mold and then dusted with icing sugar. A ribbon goes around the lamb’s neck, and raisins or chocolate chips are added for the eyes.

No 9 Easter Markets in France (Le Marché de Pâques)

If you love a good Christmas market, you’ll love the Easter markets in France. You’ll mainly find them in the Alsace region, with the most famous one being in Colmar.

They’re smaller versions of the famous Alsace Christmas markets, which help attract tourists in December.

This year, the Colmar Easter market, which is celebrating its 12th year, runs from April 4 to 27, 2025.

Not unlike the Christmas markets, you’ll find plenty of Alsatian treats, including tartes flambées, gingerbread, crêpes, waffles, pretzels, Alsatian wines, cheeses, and, of course, the famous Easter Lammala.

No 10 Easter decorations

The Alsace region goes all out over Easter with its decorations, almost as much as it does with its Christmas decorations.  Painted eggs hang from the trees, and flower boxes are filled with beautiful spring flowers. 

Easter ornaments such as bunnies, chicks and eggs are displayed in windows, out in the towns, and it’s just a riot of colours. I almost prefer it to Christmas as the colors are stunning.

What is Easter in French?

Easter in French is “Pâques.” The word originates from the Latin “Pascha” and Greek “Πάσχα,” which are derived from the Hebrew “Pesach,” meaning Passover. This reflects the historical and religious connections between the Jewish Passover and the Christian Easter.

The terms “La Pâque” and “Pâques” have separate meanings:

• La Pâque: This is singular and usually refers to the Jewish Passover, the festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. It’s a reflection of the historical roots of the term.
• Pâques: This is plural in French and specifically refers to the Christian Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The plural form reflects the multiple events of Easter, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

Helpful French Easter Vocabulary

My French teacher Sharon, has impressed on me the importance of learning whether a word is masculine or feminine. 

So when we add a new word to my French/English dictionary, I always write it down with the ‘le’ or ‘la’, so I know.

It helps with so many things. For example, when you add color to a noun, the color changes spelling depending on its gender. It’s fascinating stuff but also very confusing if you don’t know what you’re doing.

A phrase such as ‘The White House’ becomes ‘La Maison Blanche’ in French, as a house is feminine.

• La Cloche – Bell
• Les Cloches de Pâques – The Easter Bells
• Le Lapin – Bunny/Rabbit 
• Le Chocolat – Chocolate
• La Décoration – Decoration 
• Pâques – Easter (no ‘le or ‘la’ is used with an article) 
• Le Marché de Pâques – Easter Market 
• Les Oeufs – Eggs
• Vendredi Saint (m) Good Friday 
• La Semaine Sainte – Holy Week
• L’agneau (m) – Lamb
• Le Marché – Market
• Le Printemps – Spring 

FAQS: How is Easter celebrated in France?

Final thoughts: Celebrating Easter in France

Like with all things in France, tradition is the key. Everything has a story, and the stories are what make it special. 

From the bells that stop ringing and deliver the chocolate to the beautifully painted eggs, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Remember the French motto of Joie de Vivre, and you’ll love Easter in France.