Happy Easter from Paris!

Colorful signs of spring blooming at the Eiffel Tower in the Champ de Mars gardens

Signs of spring are everywhere you look in Paris these days, from the flowers blooming in happy colors, bursts of green here and there thanks to the warmer weather to the delightful window displays for Easter. Called Pâques in French, the Easter holiday is a festive time to be in Paris. Spending a holiday in another country is a wonderful experience, seeing what is familiar and learning how the same holiday is celebrated in so many different ways around the world. We love holidays in France, and are happy to share some of our favorite things to do and tips for enjoying Easter in Paris.

Sweet Treats for Easter

A chocolate masterpiece in Paris!

Chocolate is a classic for Easter around the world, but many pâtisseries in Paris have turned Easter treats into an art form! Take a stroll through the neighborhood and stop by to check out the window displays of pâtisseries and chocolate shops. Everywhere you go you’ll spot Easter themed designs. We always have to make a stop by some of our favorite shops to see just what special creations they have made for Easter, each one seeming to try to top the other with a clever design or masterly work.

Macarons are a perfectly colorful spring sweet for Easter in Paris!

So we admit we love macarons all year long, but there’s something about those traditional pastel colors that just seem perfect in the spring. Stop by Ladurée for a wonderful array of colors and flavors as well as some exquisite chocolate Easter eggs to choose from. Another favorite for sweets and macarons is Pierre Hermé, who wrote the cookbook on macarons that we used to try to make the best macarons in the world – an interesting and fun experience! This year Pierre Hermé has some delightful Easter creations, from dark chocolate Easter bunnies to a delicious looking chocolate Easter egg covered with swirls of nuts and candied fruit. Divine!

The hardest part of choosing a cake for Easter is choosing which one!

The best part of being in Paris before and during Easter is the wonderful selection of cakes, pastries and chocolates on display. This is a city perfect for travelers with a sweet tooth, and no time is better than Easter when you’ll find tempting displays in shop windows, department stores and gourmet food shops all over Paris.

Celebrate Easter Mass in Paris

Visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame for an unforgettable Easter Sunday Mass

Visiting the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris for services is a moving experience, especially during the holiday masses for Easter. Click here to read more about the events for Holy Week at Notre Dame and the schedule of events for Easter Sunday. Even if you don’t attend mass, you’ll hear those famous bells ringing! Another impressive church in Paris to attend Easter Sunday mass is the beautiful Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre. For Easter Sunday services in English, visit the American Church in Paris conveniently located in the 7^th arrondissement on the Quai d’Orsay along the Seine not far from the Eiffel Tower and only walking distance from many of our apartments.

A Fun Easter in Paris with Kids

Celebrate the arrival of spring and Easter with your kids outdoors in Paris

Spring is a wonderful time to explore Paris with children, when the parks are green and beautiful and before the heat and crowds of the summer arrive. We love seeing how many Easter egg hunts there are now each year at different historic sites and gardens in and around Paris. Visit this website for more information on Easter activities for kids in Paris, or organize your own little Easter egg hunt in your Paris Perfect apartment or a park nearby if the weather is favorable. Your kids will never forget a surprise Easter egg hunt in the Champ de Mars gardens around the Eiffel Tower!

Paris Open-Air Markets in the Spring

The sweet taste of fresh fruit and vegetables from the open-air markets in Paris

Spring is definitely in the air when you stroll through the open-air markets in Paris with all the colorful displays of fresh fruits and vegetables. While the Paris markets are busy with locals shopping year round, they are especially fun to explore in the spring. Visit the charming rue Cler, our favorite food shopping street, or one of the excellent markets in the 7^th arrondissement to find the freshest ingredients for your Easter Sunday dinner!

Enjoy an Easter Feast at your Paris Perfect Apartment

Prepare a special Easter dinner at your Paris Perfect apartment rental

If you’re planning on dining out on Easter Sunday in Paris, you’ll find many restaurants closed or already fully booked if you haven’t made reservations in advance. The perfect solution? Prepare a wonderful Easter dinner to enjoy with your family and friends in your Paris Perfect vacation rental! Our apartment kitchens are fully equipped, and you’ll find everything you need to prepare and serve a special meal for Easter. Open a bottle of French wine (Why not the kind your apartment is named after for a fun memory?) and make a toast to a memorable Easter in Paris! And don’t forget the best part … the dessert!

Wishing you a very Happy Easter and Joyeuses Pâques from Paris!

Posted on Friday, April 6th, 2012 at 11:18 am in Paris Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.