Easter (Pâques) - Renewal and Chocolate

Easter in France combines solemn religious observance with joyful secular traditions, creating a multifaceted celebration of spring and renewal.

Holy Week Observances

For practicing Catholics, Holy Week remains intensely spiritual. Processions in cities like Perpignan and Sartène maintain medieval traditions, with hooded penitents carrying crosses through ancient streets. These events attract both pilgrims and cultural tourists, blurring lines between religious practice and heritage preservation.

"Our Good Friday procession isn't theater," insists Jean-Baptiste Albertini, a Sartène brotherhood member. "But we welcome respectful observers. Sometimes tourists become pilgrims without expecting it."

Easter Bells and Chocolate

France's unique tradition holds that church bells fall silent from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, having "flown to Rome." Their return brings chocolate eggs, delivered not by an Easter bunny but by the bells themselves. This peculiarly French myth creates magical moments for children while maintaining connection to Christian tradition.

Chocolate artisans prepare for Easter months in advance, creating elaborate sculptures alongside traditional eggs. Many now offer vegan options and sugar-free alternatives, adapting tradition to contemporary dietary needs.

Easter Monday in Alsace-Moselle

In Alsace-Moselle, which maintains certain religious holidays due to historical agreements, Easter Monday remains a public holiday. Families gather for Osterlammele (Easter lamb cake) and egg-rolling competitions, preserving Germanic traditions within French culture.