1st of May, a fragrant celebration
I’ve always looked forward to the 1st of May because that’s when the scent of lily of the valley, or le muguet, starts filling the shops and streets. When I lived in France, our neighbours Jacky and Françoise generously gave us our first bouquet, fresh from the forest. They then invited me along for the picking, which quickly became a lovely little ritual. I loved making small bouquets to share with other neighbours. It was very much a community tradition, one I still keep up wherever I am. People sometimes think I’m a bit odd, but I tell them it’s for the good luck it brings! And honestly, who doesn’t enjoy that fragrant, delicate scent? Leave a bouquet in your home, and it will fill the room with that unmistakable fresh spring aroma in no time. The 1st of May has always been a day I genuinely look forward to.
Royal roots and worker solidarity
The 1st of May celebration has a long history, full of meaning and tradition. It all started back in the Renaissance when King Charles IX was given a sprig of lily of the valley during a visit to the Dauphiné. He liked it so much that he made it a yearly habit to gift this sweet-smelling flower to the ladies of his court. That small gesture eventually grew into a national custom, with muguet becoming a symbol of luck and new beginnings every May.
Jump ahead to the 19th century and May 1st took on a new meaning, it became a day for workers to stand up for their rights. In 1889, the International Socialist Congress set May Day as a day to fight for labour rights, inspired by American efforts to win the eight-hour workday. Over time, the muguet tradition and workers’ cause became linked in France. By the mid-20th century, with the Ministry of Labour established and the day officially recognised in 1947, the 1er Mai became both Labour Day and the day to share lily of the valley as a sign of hope and fresh starts.
Spring’s luck-bringer and iconic flower of May 1st
Back in 1560, King Charles IX was given a sprig of lily of the valley during a visit to the Drôme. He liked it so much, he started giving it to the ladies at his court every year as a bit of good luck. That’s how the tradition took off.
There’s a superstition about the flower too: if you get bouquets with three stems and 13 tiny white bells, you’re supposedly in for extra good luck. In old stories and Christian tradition, lily of the valley stands for purity and happiness returning. Some say it even keeps bad luck away by calling on good spirits.
Funny thing, the flower looks so delicate and harmless but is actually quite poisonous, so best admire it without nibbling. Still, it’s held its meaning through the years, from royal courts to fashion icons like Christian Dior. It’s about fresh starts, protection, and hoping for a decent year ahead.
The tradition of selling Lily of the Valley
In France, you’ll only see lily of the valley sold on the streets one day a year on the 1st of May. It’s the only flower that individuals and groups can sell without having to pay tax, a quirky little law dating all the way back to 1936. The rules are pretty specific: the flowers have to be wild-picked, sold plain and simple (no fancy ribbons or extras), and of course, kept a fair distance from professional florists.
On May Day, you’ll find markets and streets alive with sellers, from charities to local farmers and families, all ready to swap millions of these tiny bouquets. It’s quite the scene, heady with that fresh, green scent wafting through the air. Believe it or not, the sale of lily of the valley on this single day racks up around €19 million each year, proving just how much power a little flower has when it’s in season!
Lily of the Valley dancing balls
Back in the day, the 1st of May brought with it some pretty special traditions. Across villages and towns, the “bal du muguet” was the springtime event to look forward to. Young women dressed up in crisp white gowns, while the young men pinned sprigs of fresh lily of the valley to their lapels with pride. These dances were the one night a year when parents were firmly told to stay away, giving the young folks a rare chance to celebrate and enjoy themselves without oversight.
Lily of the Valley Queen
Every spring, in Rambouillet and a few other French towns, the “Reine du Muguet”, Lily of the Valley Queen, gets crowned as the shining symbol of May Day celebrations. This tradition goes back over a hundred years and is one of the highlights of the Fête du Muguet. The queen is chosen at a fancy gala that usually happens weeks or sometimes months ahead of the actual 1st of May. The very first queen was Suzanne Jacquemin, crowned in the spring of 1922.
On May Day itself, the Reine du Muguet leads the parade at the front, riding on a float surrounded by flower-filled processions, local groups, and cheerful crowds. She’s dressed in white, holding bouquets of Lily of the Valley, perfectly capturing the fresh hope of spring and the promise of youth. For several days after, she’s at the heart of the festivities, from bustling markets stacked high with fresh “muguet”, to concerts, funfairs, and fireworks in the château’s park, spreading good luck and happiness all around.
This tradition brings together the seriousness of Labour Day with the lighter, joyful spirit of spring, making the “Reine du Muguet” a much-loved figure and a living symbol of renewal every year on the 1st of May.
Where to find Lily of the Valley?
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) grows best in shady, woodland spots where the soil stays moist but drains well. Think ancient forests, thick hedgerows, and chalky or limestone soils, places where dappled sunlight filters through branches and lets these little flowers bloom happily under trees and shrubs.
If you want to grow them yourself, aim for a garden spot with some shade and rich soil. They spread quickly, forming lovely carpets of tiny, white, bell-shaped blooms in the spring. Can’t get out to the woods to pick them? No worries, Lily of the Valley is easy to find at nurseries and flower markets across the country, often sold as cut flowers or in pots so you can enjoy that fresh, delicate scent right inside your home.
Bring a little French May Day into your own community
Now that you know a bit more about the history and traditions of the 1st of May, and how Lily of the Valley brings a bit of spring’s promise to life, why not carry a little of that hope and fresh energy into your own community? This year, why not share a small sprig of luck with friends or family?
Feel free to share your stories and photos of your own Lily of the Valley bouquet down in the comments. Let’s keep this lovely tradition alive and remember what it’s really about: fresh starts, kindness, and the joy of giving. Because sometimes it’s the tiniest flowers that bring out the biggest smiles and the most hopeful hearts.
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