Easter in Paris

Easter in Paris 2026: A Complete Guide to Chocolate, Egg Hunts, and Spring Celebrations

Easter in Paris is something special. As the city shakes off the last traces of winter and the cherry blossoms begin to appear, Paris transforms into a playground of chocolate, celebration, and family fun. Whether you’re visiting with children eager for egg hunts or simply looking to indulge in some of the world’s finest chocolate creations, the French capital offers an unforgettable Easter experience.

In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on April 5th, with Easter Monday on April 6th as a public holiday. This four-day weekend (many French workers also take Good Friday off) means the city will be buzzing with activity—and plenty of visitors—so planning is essential.

The Magic of French Easter Traditions

Before diving into where to go and what to do, it helps to understand how the French celebrate Easter, because it’s delightfully different from what you might know.

In France, it’s not the Easter bunny who delivers chocolate eggs. Instead, the honour goes to les cloches volantes, or the “flying bells.” According to charming French folklore, church bells across the country fall silent on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. Why? Because they’ve sprouted wings and flown to the Vatican in Rome, carrying the faithful’s grief after Jesus’s death. Then, on Easter morning, they fly back to France, joyfully ringing to announce the resurrection and dropping chocolates along the way for children to find.

This explains why you’ll see chocolate bells in every patisserie window alongside the more familiar eggs, bunnies, and fish (the fish are tied to the April Fools’ “poisson d’avril” tradition). For children, the magic of finding chocolate “dropped by flying bells” adds an extra layer of wonder to Easter morning.

Spectacular Chocolate Creations: Where to Indulge

Easter is when Parisian chocolatiers truly outdo themselves, creating edible works of art that transform shop windows into glittering galleries. Here’s where to find the most spectacular creations for Easter 2026.

À la Mère de Famille on Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, Paris’s oldest confectionery shop dating to 1761, is worth a special visit. Its historic shopfront and displays feel like stepping back in time, and the chocolate selection is extraordinary.

Many venues across Paris host Easter egg hunts for children. Parks, gardens, and even some museums organise events where little ones can search for hidden treats. Check local listings closer to your travel dates for specific locations and times.

Ladurée, which can be found all aroundnd Paris, unveils its “Douces Fleurs” (Sweet Flowers) collection for Easter 2026, available from March 11th at their Paris boutiques. This enchanting lineup draws inspiration from an imaginary garden filled with forget-me-nots, ranunculus, and pansies.

The showstopper is Executive Pastry Chef Julien Alvarez’s Signature Flower Egg (€170). This sculptural masterpiece features eight layers of chocolate—from deepest black to golden Dulcey—intertwined to form delicate textured petals that unfold like a blossoming flower. Inside, you’ll find caramelised peanut inclusions, all resting on a base of Breton shortbread and pralined peanut butter.

More accessible options include the flower-decorated eggs (€32), each containing Ladurée’s iconic Eugénie biscuit surrounded by almond pearls, and the beloved Lala the Bunny (€16), now filled with caramelised dried fruits. The playful “Chocolate Hunt” box (€58) reveals seven compartments of treats like an Advent calendar.

This Easter, at Jean-Paul Hévin you will find “Rêves et Fèves” (Dreams and Fèves), a whimsical collection filled with dreamy designs and clever wordplay. These handcrafted chocolate pieces from Cameroon blend artistry with indulgence.

Maison Chapon‘s Kingdom of Chaponie invites you to its kingdom of purple pandas and chocolate-covered parrots. This vibrant, geometric collection is perfect for families seeking originality and a touch of whimsy.

Lafayette Gourmet at Galeries Lafayette Boulevard Haussmann becomes an Easter wonderland, featuring exclusive creations from an all-star lineup of pastry chefs and chocolatiers.

Highlights include:

Julien Dugourd’s “La Ruche” egg – Inspired by honey from Mandarin Oriental’s urban hives, balancing honey caramel with hazelnut praline (available March 11–April 29 at the Julien Dugourd pop-up)
Vincent Salur’s “Coupole Galeries Lafayette” egg – A tribute to the store’s famous dome, recreating stained-glass effects in chocolate, with a miniature Lafayette Gourmet inside (available until April 6)
Alain Ducasse’s Tablette Poussin – A graphic dark chocolate bar decorated with chicks, filled with almond-hazelnut praline and caramelised peanuts
Créations de Pierre Hermé, Yann Couvreur, Ladurée, L’Éclair de Génie, Pierre Marcolini, Philippe Conticini et Louis Fouquet

📆 SAVE THE DATE: The official Easter egg hunt celebration at Galeries Lafayette takes place on April 5th.

The Best Easter Egg Hunts for Children

For families, the highlight of Easter in Paris is undoubtedly the chasse aux œufs, the egg hunt. Parks, châteaux, museums, and even the Eiffel Tower get in on the action. Here are the best egg hunts for Easter 2026

Eiffel Tower Egg Hunt

What could be more magical than hunting for eggs on the Eiffel Tower? On April 4, from 10 AM, children can search for chocolate surprises in the Eiffel Tower Park. This unusual hunt combines art and sweet rewards for unforgettable family moments.

Museum of Man: Unconventional “Bone Hunt”

For something truly unique, the Musée de l’Homme offers a “bone hunt” from April 4-6, 2026. Instead of searching for eggs, children become apprentice archaeologists hunting for chocolate bones hidden among the museum’s anthropological collections. It’s a brilliant blend of cultural discovery and sweet indulgence.

Secours Populaire Egg Hunt at Buttes-Chaumont

This annual charity egg hunt combines fun with a good cause. In 2025, it took place at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and 2026 plans are likely similar. Children must obtain a “hunting permit” online before participating.

Musée Montmartre Egg Hunt

The Musée de Montmartre hosts a delightful egg hunt in its gardens and the adjacent Jardin Renoir. In 2025, it ran on Easter Sunday and Monday, with chocolates, workshops, and entertainment. Check their website for 2026 dates.

Parc Zoologique de Paris

The Paris Zoo offers an egg hunt with a wild twist. In 2025, it took place on Easter Sunday and Monday, combining animal encounters with chocolate treasure hunts. Perfect for families who want nature and sweets together.

Jardin d’Acclimatation

This beloved amusement park in the Bois de Boulogne typically hosts egg hunts on multiple spring weekends. In 2025, hunts took place on April 13th and 20th. For 2026, expect similar dates around the Easter period.

Easter Concerts and Religious Services

For those seeking spiritual or musical celebration, Paris’s magnificent churches offer moving Easter services and concerts.

Concerts in Historic Settings

Easter concerts in Paris are truly special, particularly in venues like Sainte-Chapelle, where classical music echoes beneath breathtaking stained glass. In 2025, concerts featured Vivaldi and Mozart. For 2026, check program announcements closer to the date—tickets sell out far in advance.

Easter Services in English

Several Paris churches offer Holy Week and Easter services in English :

American Cathedral (23 Avenue George V, 8th)

Episcopal church with numerous Holy Week and Easter services
The 11 am Easter Sunday service is a Festival Eucharist with choir and brass, followed by an Easter egg hunt

St Michael’s Church (5 rue d’Aguesseau, 8th)

Anglican church offering Holy Week and Easter services in English and Tamil

St Joseph’s Catholic Church (50 Avenue Hoche, 8th)

The only English-speaking Catholic church in Paris
Check their Facebook page for up-to-date service information

American Church (65 quai d’Orsay, 7th)

Inter-denominational Protestant church
Easter services include Good Friday service, Easter Sunday sunrise service on the quai overlooking the Seine, two traditional services, and a contemporary service
Don’t miss the two Tiffany stained glass windows—the only Tiffany windows in a French church

Temple de Pentemont (106 Rue de Grenelle, 7th)

Protestant church in a converted 17th-century convent with a magnificent Cavaillé-Coll pipe organ

Trinity International Church of Paris (58 Rue Madame, 6th)

Christian church offering sermons in English with French subtitles

The Scots Kirk (17 Rue Bayard, 8th)

The only Church of Scotland in France

Practical Information for Easter Weekend

What’s Open, What’s Closed

Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026) and Easter Monday (April 6, 2026) are public holidays in France . Expect:

Many smaller shops and restaurants closed on Easter Sunday, and some also on Monday
Museums and major attractions open (but check individual websites)
Public transport running on a limited holiday schedule
Trains packed with Parisians leaving for the long weekend
Tourist areas bustling with visitors from across Europe

Restaurant and Dining Tips

Many Parisians leave the city for Easter weekend, so restaurants that remain open get crowded. Your best bets:

Make reservations well in advance for any restaurant you have your heart set on
Consider dinner cruises – Bateaux Parisiens offers Seine River dinner cruises with Champagne and live music
Try combination experiences – Options like “Eiffel Tower Dinner, Cruise & Moulin Rouge Show” package multiple experiences with guaranteed dining
Rive Gauche Bus Toqué – Gourmet lunch on a glass-top double-decker bus with panoramic views
Versailles Bike Tour with Picnic – Shop at a traditional market and enjoy a picnic lunch after touring the palace

What to Pack

Spring weather in Paris is unpredictable. For Easter weekend, expect temperatures around 12–18°C (54–64°F), with possible sunshine and showers. Pack:

Layers (light sweaters, a waterproof jacket)
Comfortable walking shoes
An umbrella
Sunglasses (sunny spells do happen!)
A reusable water bottle for park picnics

Beyond Easter: Enjoying Spring in Paris

Easter weekend coincides with the glorious beginning of spring. While you’re celebrating, don’t miss:

Cherry blossoms – Late March to early April is peak blossom season. Top spots include Jardin des Plantes (home to Paris’s largest cherry tree), Parc de Sceaux (144 Japanese cherry trees), Square Jean-XXIII behind Notre-Dame, and the Champ de Mars.

Picnics – Easter Monday is perfect for a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries, or along the Seine. Visit a local market for cheese, a baguette, and wine.

Grandes Eaux Musicales at Versailles – From April, the Versailles fountains come alive with baroque music on weekends. The Easter weekend shows are magical.

Making the Most of Easter in Paris

Easter in Paris offers something for everyone: chocolate masterpieces for gourmands, magical egg hunts for children, soaring music for culture lovers, and spiritual services for the faithful. The city emerges in spring finery, with blossoms adding pink confetti to every view.

A few final tips:

Check dates and book ahead – Many events listed for 2026 have confirmed dates, but always verify closer to your visit
Mix tradition with adventure – Combine a chocolate shop visit with a museum egg hunt for a perfect family day
Embrace the “flying bells” story – Tell children about the cloches volantes to add French magic to your Easter
Enjoy the long weekend – With four days, you have time for both Easter-specific activities and classic Paris sightseeing

Whether you’re watching children scramble for chocolate eggs beneath the Eiffel Tower, savouring a Ladurée macaron in a sun-dappled park, or listening to a choir in a candlelit cathedral, Easter in Paris creates memories that linger like the taste of fine chocolate—sweet, rich, and utterly unforgettable.

Joyeuses Pâques! 🐣