What’s on the Table at Easter in France?
Joyeuses Pâques, mes amis!
If there’s one thing the French know how to do bien, it’s eat. And when it comes to French Easter food, absolutely nothing is left to chance. While les cloches de Pâques are busy dropping chocolate all over the garden, French families are meanwhile busy in the kitchen preparing one of the most anticipated repas de famille of the whole year.
So today, I want to take you to the French Easter table, because the food is not only délicieux, it’s also a wonderful way into the language!
Le repas de Pâques: French Easter Food, Course by Course
Easter Sunday lunch in France is a proper, sit-down affair. Think multiple courses, good wine, the whole family round the table, and absolutely nobody looking at their phone. (D’accord, peut-être un peu.) Here’s what you’re likely to find on a French Easter table.
L’entrée: Starting with Something Light
To start, many families serve a classic salade pascale, a light spring salad. In addition, you might also see asparagus on the table, since it’s just starting to come into season right now. Another popular starter is oeufs mimosa. Think devilled eggs, very retro, très chic.
Vocabulary to know:
- une salade pascale = an Easter salad
- des asperges = asparagus
- des oeufs mimosa = devilled eggs
- en saison = in season
Le plat principal: The Star of the Show
Without doubt, this is the most important course of the meal. The main course at French Easter food gatherings is almost always le gigot d’agneau, roast leg of lamb.
As a result, you’ll find it on almost every French table on Easter Sunday. It’s usually served alongside flageolets (little pale green beans) or a gratin dauphinois.
Vocabulary to know:
- le gigot d’agneau = leg of lamb
- les flageolets = flageolet beans
- un gratin dauphinois = creamy potato gratin
- rôti(e) = roasted
- tendre = tender
- fondant(e) = melt-in-the-mouth
Le fromage
After the main course, a cheese board almost always makes an appearance before dessert. This is a brilliant opportunity to practise asking about cheese at the market or at the table. For example, you could try:
- C’est quel fromage ? = What cheese is that?
- Il est doux ou fort ? = Is it mild or strong?
- Je peux en avoir un peu plus ? = Can I have a little more?
Le dessert: Ending on a Sweet Note
Finally, this is where things get really fun. Obviously, there is chocolate, beaucoup de chocolat. However, the traditional dessert in French Easter food culture is actually une tarte aux fraises, a strawberry tart, because spring strawberries are just starting to arrive. You might also see une charlotte aux fruits rouges or une mousse au chocolat.
Vocabulary to know:
- une tarte aux fraises = strawberry tart
- une mousse au chocolat = chocolate mousse
- les fruits rouges = red berries
- fondre dans la bouche = to melt in the mouth (this one is worth knowing!)
A Little Something Extra
In addition to Easter Sunday itself, le lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday) is also a bank holiday in France. As a result, the celebrations often spill over into a second day. Think leftovers, more chocolate, and perhaps a walk in the countryside. C’est la vie, and it’s really rather wonderful.
If you want to go deeper into French culture and the language that goes with it, you might enjoy exploring the other posts about Easter right here on the Sound More French blog here and here.
Practise Your French Easter Food Vocabulary at Home
Here’s a little challenge for you. Can you describe your ideal Easter meal using some of the vocabulary above? Even just one sentence counts! For example, try something like this in the comments below:
“Pour Pâques, je voudrais manger… du gigot d’agneau et une tarte aux fraises !”
Go on, have a go. There are no mistakes here, only practice.
Want to Keep Talking French All Year Round?
Speaking of having a go, the doors to The Sound More French Café are open right now for one week only, and there is a rather lovely Easter offer waiting for you inside.
Join before midnight on Wednesday, 8th April, and you will get four exclusive bonuses:
- An invitation to a live online Welcome Party (bring your own drinks and nibbles!)
- My “Colour & Learn French” PDF booklet with accompanying video lesson
- My “Pensées Positives” printable quote booklet to keep you motivated and buzzing about your French learning
- A free Half-Wower session with me, unlocked after your third month in the membership
The Café is where I help members practise speaking French in a warm, supportive, and completely judgement-free space, week in, week out. If you have been thinking about joining, this is your moment. The doors close at midnight on Wednesday, 8th April, and this Easter offer will not come around again.
JOIN THE CAFÉ BEFORE MIDNIGHT, WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL
Joyeuses Pâques, mes amis !
Frannie x
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