Things To Do at Easter in Normandy

What to do at Easter in Normandy depends on when Easter falls. Easter is a movable feast with Easter Sunday always being held between March 22 and April 25. Easter 2024 is on Sunday, March 31 so here are some suggestions of what to do when Easter falls in April.

Indulge in Some Chocolate

Supermarkets will be filled with chocolate eggs, bells, rabbits and fish. Fish is not a typo – we really do have chocolate fish which is related to April Fool’s Day (Poisson D’Avril). And although rabbits are seen in chocolate form at Easter, they don’t bring the Easter chocolate. Instead, church bells announce the start of Easter as they are rung on Easter Sunday having been silent since the Thursday. This tradition is known as ‘les cloches de Pâques’. If you want a really good chocolate then you need to head to a chocolate shop (known as a chocolatier) or a pâtisserie or boulangerie. 

Admire the Colourful Spring Flowers

Whether you’re interested in wild flowers or traditional spring flowers, you’ll find both at Easter in Normandy. There are plenty of walking routes where crocus, bluebells and primroses give splashes of colour. Public parks and gardens get a fresh new look with tulips, daffodils and hyacinths being planted at the start of Spring. And there are a whole host of Normandy towns and villages that have been awarded a ‘ville fleurie’ for their commitment to enriching resident’s lives through maintaining green spaces. Many of the towns feature floral displays in large planters to add colour.

Enjoy a Cultural Event

Here are some suggestions for cultural events that will be happening in Normandy in April:

The Impressionist Festival runs from 22 March through to 22 September. To find an event check out the Normandy Impressionist Festival programme.  https://www.normandie-impressionniste.fr/fr/programme

Deauville’s Music Festival is on from 2 – 27 April 2024. There’s more information here

From 13 March through to 21 April a range of cultural events will be happening throughout Normandy. Take a look at the link for details of the Normandy Spring Festival.

Visit a Spring Fair at Easter in Normandy

These events tend to be a cross between a market and a car boot sale (known as a vide grenier). There may well be entertainment depending on the fair but there’ll definitely be food trucks selling food and drink. It’s a great opportunity to have a browse through the stalls and see if you can find a second hand treasure. The Gavray fair will be on 21st April while Avranches is on 27th and 28th April.

Make the Most of the Light Nights

Fortunately the clocks go forward on 31st March in 2024 so there’s a big difference to the evening light in April. Hopefully the better weather will mean you can get out and explore the great outdoors. The main opportunities in Normandy are enjoying time on the beach, fun sporting activities, cycling or walking. Easter in Normandy is a great time to visit and really make the most of everything that it has to offer visitors.