Easter is called Pâques in France. It is one of the most important holiday celebrations for French children.
The children receive colorfully decorated eggs. The French begin their Easter season several weeks before Easter actually begins. Shop windows are decorated in a festive collection of white and dark chocolate rabbits, chickens, bells and fish. Much of this occurs in other countries, but bells and fish are an important part of the French Easter tradition.
Chickens and rabbits are popular Easter symbols in many countries. Bells and fish are an important part of the French Easter tradition. French Easter fish are called "Poisson d'Avril". Chocolate fish are available in most shops. The real "Poisson d'Avril", however, appearance on April 1st. French children play an 'April Fool's' trick. They stick a paper fish ono the back of as many adults as possible--most of whom are quite tolerant. The children then run away yelling "Poisson d'Avril!" which means "April Fish".
Cloche volant or Flying Bells are another important part of the French Easter tradition. French Catholics have a tradition that on Good Friday all the church bells in France miraculously fly to the Vatican in Rome. They carry with them all the misery and grief of those who mourn Jesus' crucifixion on that day. These flying French bells then return on Easter morning in time for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. The bells bring with them chocolate and eggs which are left in yards for the children to collect in their baskets when they wake up in the morning. In keeping with the tradition, French church bells do not ring from Good Friday to Easter morning.
The children receive colorfully decorated eggs. The French begin their Easter season several weeks before Easter actually begins. Shop windows are decorated in a festive collection of white and dark chocolate rabbits, chickens, bells and fish. Much of this occurs in other countries, but bells and fish are an important part of the French Easter tradition.
Chickens and rabbits are popular Easter symbols in many countries. Bells and fish are an important part of the French Easter tradition. French Easter fish are called "Poisson d'Avril". Chocolate fish are available in most shops. The real "Poisson d'Avril", however, appearance on April 1st. French children play an 'April Fool's' trick. They stick a paper fish ono the back of as many adults as possible--most of whom are quite tolerant. The children then run away yelling "Poisson d'Avril!" which means "April Fish".
Cloche volant or Flying Bells are another important part of the French Easter tradition. French Catholics have a tradition that on Good Friday all the church bells in France miraculously fly to the Vatican in Rome. They carry with them all the misery and grief of those who mourn Jesus' crucifixion on that day. These flying French bells then return on Easter morning in time for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. The bells bring with them chocolate and eggs which are left in yards for the children to collect in their baskets when they wake up in the morning. In keeping with the tradition, French church bells do not ring from Good Friday to Easter morning.
