Easter in Paris 2026: Practical Guide for Couples and Families
Key dates, what’s open, Easter activities (egg hunts, churches, chocolates), and ready-made itineraries for 1, 3, and 5 days.
Last updated: 2026-ready • Timezone: Europe/Paris (CEST from late March)
Written for travelers planning Paris during Easter and spring school holidays.
- Easter 2026 in Paris: Good Friday 3 Apr (not a national holiday in Paris), Easter Sunday 5 Apr, Easter Monday 6 Apr (public holiday nationwide).
- What’s usually open? Many museums/monuments stay open on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but always confirm official hours.
- What’s usually closed? Some shops and services on Easter Monday; many stores closed on Sundays as usual.
- Best family activity: Easter egg hunts in parks/venues + a Seine walk and playground time.
- Best couple activity: chocolate & pâtisserie crawl + a sunset viewpoint + a classic neighborhood stroll.
- Book early: timed museum tickets, popular brunch spots, and family egg hunts (limited slots).
Key dates: Easter weekend in Paris (2026)
| Good Friday | Friday, 3 April 2026 (not a national public holiday in Paris). City runs close to normal weekday patterns. |
|---|---|
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, 5 April 2026. Many shops closed as usual; museums/monuments often operate (check official sites). |
| Easter Monday (public holiday) | Monday, 6 April 2026. Some shops/services closed; tourist sites may be open with holiday hours. |
| Paris spring school holidays (Zone C) | Thu, 2 April → Mon, 20 April 2026. Expect more families in parks and museums. |
Planning rule: treat Easter Monday like a “special Sunday” for shopping, but a “normal day” for many attractions (with exceptions).
What’s open in Paris on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday?
- Museums & monuments: many remain open on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but schedules vary by site.
- Shopping: many stores closed on Sunday; Easter Monday closures depend on the store/area.
- Restaurants & cafés: open and busy (brunch slots fill fast).
- Public transport: runs on Sunday/holiday frequency; allow extra time.
How to confirm quickly: check the official site of each attraction + Google Maps hours the same morning (holiday updates appear there first).
Best Easter activities in Paris (2026)
1) Easter chocolate and pâtisserie “crawl” (easy win)
- Paris takes Easter chocolate seriously: seasonal displays, sculpted eggs, and limited editions.
- Best approach: pick one neighborhood (Saint-Germain, Le Marais, Opéra area, or around your hotel) and do 3–5 stops.
2) Easter egg hunts (families)
- Many venues organize egg hunts with limited places. Book early if possible.
- Typical formats: time slots by age, prizes, and short activities.
Tip: search “chasse aux oeufs Paris 2026” closer to the date for the final list and booking links (each year changes).
3) Churches and Holy Week services (quiet, powerful experience)
- If you want one meaningful moment: attend a service or simply visit a major church during Holy Week.
- Some cathedrals publish detailed Holy Week schedules in advance.
4) Classic Paris outdoors (low effort, high reward)
- Seine walk: golden hour is ideal for couples; morning is best for families.
- Picnic parks: Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries, Champ de Mars (weather dependent).
- Viewpoints: Montmartre (busy), or quieter terraces and bridges.
5) Museum day (rain-safe)
- Choose one major museum and one smaller museum to avoid burnout.
- Reserve timed entry whenever available.
Ready-made Easter itineraries (Paris 2026)
- Morning: early landmark walk (before crowds) + café breakfast.
- Midday: one pre-booked attraction (timed entry).
- Afternoon: park break + Seine stroll.
- Evening: simple bistro dinner (book ahead) + short night walk.
Holiday rule: one timed booking + everything else flexible.
- Day 1: Le Marais + Île de la Cité exterior highlights + sunset bridges.
- Day 2: museum morning + chocolate/pâtisserie afternoon + night views.
- Day 3: Montmartre early + relaxed lunch + shopping (if open) or a second smaller museum.
Couple goal: one iconic day, one cultural day, one “neighborhood day”.
- Day 1: big park/playground + easy sightseeing loop + early dinner.
- Day 2: egg hunt (if booked) + museum or aquarium/zoo-type venue + flexible afternoon.
- Day 3: Seine boat ride (short) + carousel/playground + kid-friendly museum.
Family goal: mornings for sightseeing, afternoons for play and recovery.
- Day 1: classic center walk + early evening viewpoint.
- Day 2: one major museum + park break.
- Day 3: Montmartre early + pastry/chocolate day.
- Day 4: day trip (Versailles or a short countryside option) OR a second museum neighborhood.
- Day 5: flexible favorites + shopping (if open) + final Seine sunset.
Paris Bike Tour (best way to see more in less time)
Easter weekend can change opening hours and crowd patterns. A bike tour is one of the easiest ways to keep your plan simple: you cover the main sights efficiently, avoid unnecessary transfers, and still have time for parks, chocolate stops, and a relaxed dinner. It’s ideal for couples, and also works well for families who prefer an active daytime plan.
Families: make Easter in Paris easy
- Start early: Paris mornings are calmer, especially during school holidays.
- Pick “one big thing” per day: one museum OR one egg hunt OR one big neighborhood walk.
- Build in park time: playground breaks reduce meltdowns and make the day enjoyable.
- Have a rain backup: one kid-friendly indoor option pre-selected.
Couples: best Easter vibe in Paris
- Chocolate + sunset combo: do your chocolate stops mid-afternoon, then head to a viewpoint for golden hour.
- One “slow day”: park + café + bookshop style day can feel more “Paris” than rushing landmarks.
- Reserve one special meal: Easter weekend fills up quickly.
Practical tips (what to book, what to avoid)
Book early
- Timed museum tickets (especially if traveling with kids and limited patience).
- Brunch / Easter meals at popular restaurants.
- Egg hunts and family activities (often capped by age group).
Avoid these common mistakes
- Planning shopping as the “main activity” on Easter Sunday/Monday.
- Trying to do two major museums in one day.
- Going to the most famous viewpoint exactly at sunset without a backup spot.
One simple rule
If you want a smooth holiday: schedule one fixed booking per day, and keep the rest flexible.
FAQ (direct answers)
When is Easter Sunday in Paris in 2026?
5 April 2026.
Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Paris?
Yes. Easter Monday is a public holiday nationwide on 6 April 2026.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Paris?
No. Good Friday is not a national public holiday in Paris (it is a holiday only in specific regions such as Alsace-Moselle).
Are museums open on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday?
Many are open, but schedules vary. Always check each attraction’s official hours before you go.
What are the best Easter activities for kids in Paris?
Egg hunts, parks/playgrounds, short boat rides, and one kid-friendly museum day.
What are the best Easter activities for couples in Paris?
Chocolate & pâtisserie crawl, sunset viewpoints, and neighborhood walks with a reserved dinner.
If you’re planning a short stay, a guided walking or bike experience is one of the easiest ways to see more with less planning effort. (Add more Paris tour links here if you want this section to include direct bookings.)
Note: Easter activity listings (egg hunts, concerts) change year to year. For the final plan, check updated event listings in the week before arrival.
