You want to take advantage of the Easter weekend to discover Provence. You're absolutely right, spring is the perfect time to discover our beautiful region before the arrival of summer tourists and high temperatures. Here are a few ideas for your Easter weekend in Provence, which this year takes place from April 4 to 6, 2026.
Discover Easter traditions in Provence
In Provence, Easter is marked by centuries-old traditions that combine religious fervor and conviviality. Holy Week processions precede Easter Sunday, when the faithful gather to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Special attention is given to the Easter bells, a legacy of the belief that they leave for Rome on Holy Thursday and do not return until Easter Sunday.
On the culinary side, the Easter salad is an iconic tradition, its origins dating back to ancestral customs. Finally, lamb is often featured on Sunday tables as a symbol of Christ's Resurrection.
Holy Week Processions
Easter Bells
Easter Salad
Easter lamb
Although these traditions are similar to those in other French regions, they have a unique flavor in Provence, thanks to the fervor of its inhabitants.
Picturesque villages and their Easter celebrations
Provence is dotted with picturesque villages that celebrate Easter in their own unique way. In Gassin (Var) and Séguret (Vaucluse), for example, pastoral celebrations are at the heart of the festivities. Les Baux-de-Provence, a major tourist destination, hosts a cycling event that was started in 1924 by Paul de Vivie, one of the founders of the French Cycling Federation.
For a different atmosphere, head to Aix-en-Provence, where the Easter Festival offers classical music concerts.
The villages of the Luberon, some of which are ranked among the most beautiful in France, offer a peaceful setting to celebrate Easter with family or friends.
Discover Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, an exceptional village located at the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon, and Ramatuelle, the picturesque embodiment of Saint-Tropez.
These picturesque villages offer a unique Easter celebration, where Provençal traditions intertwine with the beauty of the local landscapes.
Gastronomy: Easter meals and desserts in Provence
In Provence, Easter cuisine is generous and full of flavor. Roast lamb, often served as a leg, shoulder, or rack, is a staple of the Easter meal. It is traditionally studded with garlic and accompanied by fresh vegetables.
Easter bread with aniseed is another regional specialty.
For dessert, several typical Provençal sweets are de rigueur:
La Couve, a round, flat cake representing a bird's nest, is particularly popular at Easter.
Brassadeaux, small ring-shaped cookies flavored with orange blossom water and orange, are also a Provençal specialty shared at Easter dessert time.
These dishes, rich in flavor and tradition, bring a touch of authenticity to Easter celebrations in Provence.
How is Easter celebrated in Provence?
In Provence, Easter celebrations are a mix of ancestral traditions, religious fervor, and convivial moments shared with family. On Easter Sunday, after mass, it is customary to gather around a country meal. Lamb, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ, is often featured on the menu.
Children take part in the famous egg hunt. On Monday, a public holiday, families often get together for an outdoor picnic, extending the festivities.
Religious fervor is also palpable during Holy Week, which precedes Easter.
Processions are organized in the streets, and church bells remain silent from Thursday to Saturday as a sign of mourning.
In addition to these traditions common to all of France, Provence has managed to preserve its own specific customs. Among them, the Easter salad, prepared with hard-boiled eggs, olive oil, and various vegetables, is a staple of the Provençal Easter meal.
Recipe for Provençal Easter salad
The Provençal Easter salad is a festive dish that combines simplicity and local flavors. This salad is usually composed of:
A base of green salad (lettuce or romaine lettuce)
Hard-boiled eggs, symbolizing resurrection and new life
Radishes to add a touch of crunch and color
Spring onions (or small fresh onions) for a sweet and slightly spicy taste
And for the dressing, mild mustard, olive oil, and anchovies in oil for a hint of the sea.
This salad is easy to prepare:
Hard boil the eggs and leave them to cool.
Wash and chop the vegetables.
Prepare the dressing by mixing the mustard, olive oil, and anchovies.
Place the ingredients in a large salad bowl and pour over the dressing.
Mix gently before serving.
This recipe can be adapted to suit your preferences and the seasonal produce available.
Provençal Easter cake recipe
For Easter dessert, Provence offers a traditional treat: Provençal Easter cake. This dessert is a blend of sweet and fragrant flavors.
Here are the ingredients you will need:
Flour
Sugar
Eggs
Baker's yeast
Butter
Orange blossom water
Lemon and orange zest
Anise
To make it:
Dissolve the baker's yeast in a little warm water.
In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and eggs.
Add the dissolved yeast, melted butter, lemon and orange zest, orange blossom water, and anise.
Knead the dough until it is soft and elastic.
Leave the dough to rest until it doubles in size.
You can add candied fruit for an even more traditional flavor. The cake is then baked in the oven at a moderate temperature. Enjoying this cake is a real moment of pleasure and sharing during the Easter meal.
Practical tips for planning your Easter weekend in Provence
A good way to prepare for your weekend in Provence is to use an online comparison site. A comparison site such as Liligo allows you to centralize your search on a single platform. You will find the prices of different trains (TGV, TER, INTERCITÉS, OUIGO, Thalys, Renfe, Eurostar, etc.) available according to your criteria. If your dates or times are flexible, play around with these criteria to find the best prices.
We hope this short article has inspired you to spend Easter weekend in Provence and discover Provençal Easter traditions.
Check out our article on Christmas traditions in Provence.