Flying Easter Bells called “les cloches de Pâques” are the French Easter Bunny. The Catholic tradition dictates that Church bells don’t ring between Good Friday “Vendredi Saint” and Easter Sunday, to commemorate the death of Christ and his resurrection. The oral tradition then said that the bells were flying to Rome during that time (they then grow 2 little wings and dress up) to be blessed by the Pope, and then come back from this trip loaded with presents. 

Traditionally, the bells fly back on Saturday night. So, Sunday morning is the opening of “la chasse aux oeufs” in France!!! Someone usually shouts “les cloches sont passées” and all the children run outside (or inside) to collect chocolate or sugar eggs, bell-adorned hens, roosters, chicks, bunnies and lambs… and flying bells of course, all symbolic of Easter, spring and renew.