Joyeuses Pâques! Easter traditions in France.

Happy Easter!

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As in many other countries in the world, Easter is a holiday observed in France by both religious and non-religious people. France is still a largely Catholic country, and even those who don’t regularly attend mass throughout the year will go to church on Easter Suday, or Pâques.

Many French traditions are similar to those found in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, but there are some unique traditions to mention:

Les cloches de Pâques

In France, Easter treats are delivered to children on Sunday morning by bells (cloches), specifically flying church bells.

Les cloches de Pâques - A coloring book image for French children

This may seem silly to a society used to their Easter treats being laid (literally or otherwise) on their hearth by an anthropomorphic bunny, but like many now-secular traditions, les cloches de Pâques derive from a religious tradition.

In France (and Belgium), the church bells are silenced from (Holy/Maundy) Thursday (jeudi saint) through Saturday, as a sign of mourning. Somewhere along the line, this led to the idea that the bells fly away from their bell towers to Rome for those few days, and fly back on Easter morning, sounding and dropping (with impeccable aim) goodies for the boys and girls below.

Les œufs de Pâques

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As in the U.S., Easter eggs (les œufs de Pâques) make very popular Easter basket fillers (both in dyed/hard-boiled and chocolate fashion).

The egg is a symbol of fertility (as is the rabbit, as it turns out) from antiquity, and eggs were once forbidden for consumption during Lent (le Carême). Their association with Easter came both from the Spring Solstice and the breaking of Lent.

Les œufs de Pâques

Chocolates in the form of lambs (agneaux) and bells (cloches) are also common.

Vocabulary

Vocabulaire	Vocabulary
Pâques Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Easter
les cloches de Pâques Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Easter bells
une cloche Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	a bell
un œuf de Pâques Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	an Easter egg
les bonbons Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	candy
les chocolats Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	chocolates
le lapin de Pâques Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	The Easter Bunny (not a French tradition)
un lapin Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	a rabbit
un agneaux Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	a lamb
le Carême Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Lent
le jeudi saint Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Holy Thursday
le vendredi saint Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Good Friday