In France, offering eggs as Easter gifts began in the 4th century A.D. Church law dictated that Christians must abstain from eating meat or eggs during the 40 days of fasting that preceded Easter. On Easter Sunday, surplus eggs from hens that continued laying during the period were used to make an omelette. Legend had it that if on Easter Day, the first thing eaten was an egg that had been laid on Good Friday, you would be protected from illness until the following Easter.

To find the ‘chasses aux oeufs’ around Paris consult the list below:

TOUR EIFFEL

There will be more than 20,000 eggs scattered on the Champs de Mars vast lawn. Children aged 3-10, are welcome to retrieve eggs. Organised by the Secours Populaire, this Easter egg hunt ends with a delicious chocolate tasting.
Sunday 16 and Monday 17 April 10am-5pm.
€5 per child
Metro: Champ de Mars

SACRE COEUR

Two giant easter egg hunts lie waiting. Kids between ages 3-12 are invited to gather as many eggs as they can beneath the impressive Montmartre icon.
April 16 2017, 12.30pm-3pm
Metro: Abbesses
Obligatory reservation: 01 42 62 21 21

VINCENNES ZOO

Vincennes Zoo welcomes anyone between the ages of 7-77 to hunt. A 150,000 chocolate egg hunt is planned.  Perk: 8kg egg – jackpot of the day competition.
April 16 and 17
Activities are accessible through the entrance ticket to the park.  €22 for adults, €16.50 for 12-25, €14 for 3-11.
Metro: Porte Dorée

BERCY VILLAGE

Over a 1,000 chocolate eggs and rabbits have been hidden in the corner of Saint-Emilion court. When the count down begins kids will have only 20 minutes to fill their baskets. The most observant hunters will be offered a surprise by The Gourmande Cure.
April 16 from 2pm – 6pm.
Registration required on site. Free. Metro: Cour Saint-Émilion

MUSEE de MONTMARTRE

Bring a basket or sack and enjoy the egg hunt in the Jardins Renoir. Reserved for kids 2-12. Reservations obligatory 01 49258941.

April 16, 17, 11:30 to 5:00, 12 rue Cortot, Paris 75018

CHAMPS ELYSEES

Atelier Renault Café des Champs-Elysées is organizing several hunts beneath the hoods. For kids from 6 to 14, the hunts are accompanied by culinary workshops where the children, under the leadership of a famous chef, will be invited to customize a chocolate Renault Sport RS01 with endless sugary toppings.
Sunday, April 16. Mini-hunts at 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Extras: Hunting for the big ones from 10.30am. Two workshop sessions at 2pm and 3pm. All the activities are free.
Metro: Franklin Roosevelt