We love Paris in the springtime…flowers are blooming, and Parisians are walking with a spring in their step. And with Easter weekend coming up from April 20-22 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.
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 2 to 5 years, and at the Belvédère de l’Impératrice for older kids aged 6 to 10. In case that doesn’t satisfy their craving for sweets, there’s also a piñata filled with more candies to be smashed open at 11:30am and 3:30pm each day. 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 an Angelina café.
(Update 2018: Jardin d’Acclimatation closed for renovations until May 1)
Musée de Montmartre
If you’re looking for a more artistic Easter celebration, RSVP to one of the workshops at Musée de Montmartre. There are two different sessions offered across four days, guaranteed to bring out your kid’s inner creative genius! Each session includes a tour of the museum, followed by Easter themed arts and crafts for kids 2-12.
La Butte de Montmartre
If Montmartre is your destination of choice, you can spend Easter Sunday looking for Easter eggs with one of the best views in town! The tourism office of Montmartre is hosting two Easter egg hunts for kids 3 and up…be sure to register early!
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!
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 12,000 chocolate eggs are hidden in the castle’s gardens, plus “surprise” eggs offer the lucky treasure hunters a chance to win an annual pass to Thoiry.
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 and Sartrouville 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, between 2:30pm and 5pm.
ALTERNATIVELY: If you prefer to kick back and enjoy a leisurely Easter Brunch, check out our guide to 15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris for ideas!
