We love Paris in the springtime…flowers are blooming, and Parisians are walking with a spring in their step. And with the long Easter weekend coming up from March 30 – April 1 there are loads of fun activities to keep the whole family entertained. For a twist on the traditional egg hunt (chasse aux oeufs), why not get out to explore some of the spectacular museums, gardens and parks in and around Paris? Here are some of INSPIRELLE‘s top picks to ensure you have an egg-cellent weekend:
In Central Paris
Parc André Citroën
The whole family can have fun, while helping a charity, at this gigantic egg hunt and festival organized by the Secours Populaire à Paris. Kids 3 to 10 will marvel at the over 40,000 eggs hidden in the gardens of the Champs de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. There’ll be lots of chocolate and an activity village with flower workshops, face painting, dancing, sports demos and a discovery course game on children’s rights. Entry fee supports the work of Secours Populaire à Paris, which promotes children’s rights as part of their overall mission to help the needy in France and around the world. Reservations required.
Jardin d’Acclimatation
It’s no surprise that this family amusement park would do Easter right. 15,000 chocolate eggs are hidden in designated areas for different age groups – the vegetable garden (potager) for little ones 3 to 6 years, and at the Belvédère de l’Impératrice for older kids aged 7 to 11. You can easily turn a visit here into a full day outing with the usual amusement park rides and games, the little zoo, a restaurant and a hot chocolate at the café. Reservations required.
Musée de Montmartre
If you’re looking for a more artistic Easter celebration, RSVP to one of the workshops at Musée de Montmartre. In addition to an egg hunt, there are creative workshops for kids 6-12 on Sunday and Monday, guaranteed to bring out their colorful sides! Reservations required.
Around Paris
Why not take advantage of the long weekend to explore some of the magnificent châteaux and natural spaces just outside of the big city?
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (Maincy)
For a playful and arty Easter, visit the lush grounds of this jewel of a château for one of the grandest egg hunts in Ile-de-France. This magnificent 17th century castle, only one hour from Paris, features a garden by Le Nôtre where the Château’s squirrels have hidden loads of treats by Leonidas and Sylvanian Families. Workshops, activities and chocolate demonstrations are organized daily, plus there’s a special egg hunt just for grown-ups! Reservations required.
Parc Zoologique et Château de Thoiry
If you haven’t visited Thoiry, why not take the time to discover this unique castle with an animal reserve and zoological park in its backyard? In your own car, you can go on a safari and encounter elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions and antelopes! Then, park your car and visit the walk-through zoo, the 16th century Thoiry Castle and its beautiful grounds. During Easter weekend, over 20,000 chocolate eggs are hidden in the castle’s gardens, plus “surprise” eggs that offer the lucky treasure hunters special prizes.
Ferme de Gally
A popular destination for school groups and nature lovers, the Fermes de Gally (Gally Farms) are hosting its annual Fête des Oeufs (Festival of Eggs), at their Saint-Cyr-l’Ecole, Sartrouville and Saint-Denis locations. The day will be filled with interactive, educational workshops, artisanal demonstrations, egg decorating, and an Easter egg hunt for kids 3 to 12, to ensure fun for the whole family. Visitors will also encounter the farms’ resident animals: lambs, chickens, ducklings and kid goats. At Sartrouville, you can even take pony rides or watch the sheep getting shorn.
