Easter in France

Easter is a Christian festival. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and is considered the most important festival of Christianity. In France, the Monday following Easter Sunday is a public holiday. But what are the origins of this festival? How is it commemorated in France and in other countries?

Among Christians, the first celebration of Easter dates back to the 2nd century. It commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal of Christ with the 12 apostles, the Passion, the events recounting his death and the Resurrection. If Easter is written in the plural, it is to differentiate itself from the Jewish festival of Passover, which celebrates the crossing of the Red Sea by the Jewish people. The plural may also evoke the three events mentioned above.

If in France, Easter Monday is a public holiday, this is not the case everywhere. In countries with large Christian communities such as Brazil, Argentina, Mexico or certain regions of Spain, the public holiday is Good Friday. This “Good Friday” corresponds to the day of Christ’s crucifixion. In France, church bells stop ringing from Thursday to Saturday. The traditional Sunday mass is one of the most important of the year

The popular traditions linked to Easter vary according to regions. This is notably the case for desserts, prepared for the occasion. In the Drôme, they prepare the couve crestoise, a shortbread cake in the form of an orange-scented sablé. Generally speaking, it is customary to prepare a roast lamb on Sunday lunchtime, after Easter mass. In Italy, the Campanare della Nonna in the shape of a bell, basket or fish, topped with an egg, is a standard biscuit that one gives to loved ones. They also eat Colombe, a brioche covered with a white icing and almonds. Finally, in Russia, koulitch, a brioche made with butter and dried fruits, and pashka, a preparation of quark and candied fruits.

The most popular dish for Easter is chocolate eggs. In the German imagination, they are brought by the Easter Bunny, the Osterhase. This tradition has received significant commercial attention. In the United States, the Easter Bunny has entered collective consciousness as the rabbit bringing chocolates in the form of eggs, bells, rabbits or even fish to children.

In Orthodox countries, eggs are exchanged and have real symbolism. The first painted egg is considered the guardian of one’s home and is therefore kept safely. Eggs are painted and then, once the wax is removed, motifs are created.