Easter holidays on the French Riviera: Events and tips

The Easter holidays are here! Both a religious and a pagan festival, we've got plenty of reasons to celebrate the return of spring on the Côte d'Azur!

All about Easter

A religious and pagan festival

Easter is undoubtedly the most important festival in Christianity, as it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. Christians and Jews celebrate it every year in April, during the spring full moon. But Easter isn't just a religious festival, it's also an opportunity to celebrate spring after the long (and cold!) winter months. In France, bells are traditionally rung throughout the year, except at Easter, when they are silent from Maundy Thursday to Holy Saturday. During this period, the bells go off to Rome to be blessed, and on the way back they pour out sweets, much to the delight of the children, who set off on an egg hunt as soon as past midday!

Easter in the world

There are different ways of celebrating Easter around the world, each one unique to its own culture.

  • In Germany, there are no bells, but a rabbit, just like in some French regions. The origin of the Easter bunny comes from a German legend in which a poor woman, unable to give her children sweets, decorated eggs which she hid in the garden. The children saw a rabbit and thought it had laid the eggs.
  • In Italy, the tradition is to eat "Colomba", a cake in the shape of a dove, a symbol of good news.
  • In Spain and Portugal, the three Holy Days are public holidays, and celebrations prepared months in advance take place in the streets.
  • In the United States, the Easter bunny brings sweets to children and a big egg hunt is traditionally held in the gardens of the White House.
  • In Scandinavia, tradition encourages people to get up early to watch the sun dance. Its yellow colour is used in Easter decorations.

Three reasons fo celebrating Easter in the French Riviera

1

A great climate

With the return of spring, temperatures are mild and pleasant! It's the perfect time to take a stroll around the Estérel massif. Avoid the heat, crowds and traffic jams of July and August and enjoy the magnificent scenery. What's more, the flora and fauna are particularly abundant in April. What are you waiting for? This is your chance to take some magnificent photos to share with friends and family, and for the brave, to take their first swim of the year!

Must-see destinations :

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2

Attractive prices

Whether it's accommodation or leisure activities, prices are generally lower at this time of year. Take the opportunity to spend a week at a campsite on the French Riviera or discover the Estérel with your family on an electric mountain bike!

Other activities on the French Riviera :

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3

There are plenty of outdoor events!

The return of good weather means the return of events! In April, you can attend and/or take part in a host of sporting events, as well as discovering local produce at the many open-air markets!

Unmissable events:

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Easter events in Esterel French Riviera

Take advantage of Easter to take part in the various events organised in the Estérel Côte d'Azur region: trails, traditional festivals, markets, etc.

Here are a few ideas for outings:

Ideas for fun activities in the French Riviera

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pays de fayence - nord

Fayence area

The Pays de Fayence (Fayence district) has many great provencal villages. All of them have a particularity such as the view from Mons or the artistic streets of Tourrettes. Do no forget to stop in Seillans that has the label of "Most beautiful village in France"

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pays de fayence - sud

Fayence area

North of the A8 motorway, you will find the Pays de Fayence. Saint-Cassien lake, a real oasis of freshness in the Var, awaits you! Take a break at the Lake House before visiting the villages of Bagnols-en-Forêt, St-Paul-en-Forêt or Tanneron.

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roquebrune sur argens - la bouverie

Roquebrune-sur-Argens

The city of Roquebrune-sur-Argens is the most westerly of the destination. It includes three districts: La Bouverie, at the foot of Gorges du Blavet; The village, overlooked by its magnificent rock, and Les Issambres, with its nautical activities by the sea.

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les adrets de l'esterel

Les Adrets de l'Estérel

Les Adrets de l'Estérel is a small town located at the extreme southeastern Var. Bordering the Maritimes Alpes, it is composed of large green forests. The town overlooks the bay of Cannes and has an exceptional view on the Lérins Islands and the Corniche de l'Estérel.

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village de puget sur argens

Puget sur Argens

Puget sur Argens is a small village located in the middle of many wineries. Its commercial area, near the village, includes many shopping center. North of the village, the Bois du Defens give rise to several walks.

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roquebrune-sur-argens - les issambres

Les Issambres

Welcome to Les Issambres, the district of Roquebrune-sur-Argens located on the coast. True paradise with its 8 km of beaches and creeks, this family seaside resort, already frequented at the time by the Romans, is located between the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Fréjus-Saint Raphaël.

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ville de frejus - saint-aygulf

Fréjus

Frejus, located halfway between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, is at the heart of the Côte d'Azur. Based on a sandstone buttress of the Esterel massif, the town dominates the valleys of Argens and Reyran. Frejus has the appearance of a small Provencal town whose new districts extend to the sea.

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saint-raphael - massif de l'esterel

Saint-Raphaël

65km from Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, Saint-Raphaël is located between Cannes and Saint-Tropez. This seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast is at the bottom of the great Esterel mountains. Saint Raphael, whose city center is by the sea, is divided into different neighborhoods that have all their characteristics and their personalities.

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Fayence areaFayence areaRoquebrune-sur-ArgensLes Adrets de l'EstérelPuget sur ArgensLes IssambresFréjusSaint-Raphaël
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