La Grande Chasse aux Oeufs

Are you a chicken or egg person?
Another sneak preview of April's Paris Sketch letter, this time the almighty French hen (poule).

It's not easy to say whether the fish, the chicken, the bell, the egg or the Anglo newcomer, the bunny, holds supreme reign over Paris during Paques (Easter).

La Mere de Famille Paris' oldest confectionary has every possibility covered.

A very nice chocolate Teddy has been added to their 2015 collection.

Sadaharu Aoki marches to a different drummer, so the classic French hen has a Matcha green chocolate tail and is tied up with a black and white polka-dot ribbon. Tres chic and unique.

Back at La Mere de Famille a huge rooster crows for Easter.

Mad decorations are not just for Parisian haute couture chocolatiers. This scruffy chicken adorns a humble boulangerie vitrine surrounded by abundant spring flowers and faux grass in the elite 7th arron.

Monoprix has a collection of chicken/bunny egg cups for the occasion under 5 euros.

Neither fish nor fowl, from a past Easter collection of Jean-Paul Hevin - a witty unforgettable image.

Gerard Mulot has big eggs of Valrhona Dulcy chocolate - a blond caramel-tasting version.

Nestled lattice milk chocolate eggs at Jean-Paul Hevin.
Did you know milk chocolate is much harder to create? To get the balance right takes a deft hand. I've come to prefer it over dark.

These eggs are waiting in the window to be taken home

They are not chocolate at all, but made of cheese (petits oeufs de Mimolette extra vieille et Tomme de Brebis) from the excellent affineur fromager Griffon. They are tied up with bows of raffia straw not colorful silk. 

Fromager Griffon, 23 bis avenue de la Motte Picquet.

The egg hunts have begun. Each Paris arrondissement has their own authorized egg hunt (chasse aux oeufs), usually held in a public park but you must reserve. 'Les enfants doivent etre accompagnes pendant toute la duree de l'evenment' What about adults who'd like to hunt some eggs? Must they bring a kiddie?

FYI* An important egg fact. Did you know almost all French 'filled' eggs have Praliné inside - A mix of finely ground almonds, and or hazelnuts plus sugar, cocoa butter. Do not expect strawberry or maple fillings!

Another eggy fact I discovered yesterday - Belgian chocolatier Leonidas fill their eggs with smaller eggs.
No seafood-shaped fritures. Perhaps France is the only country to put chocolate fish inside? If you know more do tell.

I passed this drawing in a gallery window today by artist Jean-Jacques Loup of traditional French bells delivering Easter eggs.
If you  haven't heard David Sedaris' version of
“The rabbit of Easter. He bring of the chocolate.”
Do give a listen.
Thank you dear anonymous PBer of Hobart, WA who kindly sent me a Spork! She must have seen my comment of never leaving home without a spoon. Now I'm set for all occasions.
BIG MERCI et Joyeues Paques PBers!!