Today is an annual public holiday in France, and many other countries around the world. However, in France, this date is more than just a day out of the office!
Back on 1 May 1560, King Charles IX of France was presented with lily of the valley (muguet) flowers as a lucky charm. The King appreciated the gift so much, he decided to annually gift the flowers to every lady in his court on 1 May. This gesture started to become more commonplace at the beginning of 20th century with men presenting lilies of the valley to women as a token of their affection.
Nowadays, it’s customary to give a sprig of these flowers as a token of appreciation to close friends and family members on 1er mai – though obviously not this year! The day also became a public holiday, formally known as La Fête du Travail (Labour Day), back in 1948.
Something I hadn’t known with a superb photograph, Sheree
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have learnt something new too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow I didn’t know that. Thanks for the info, Sheree! Passez une bonne journée!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Merci et également!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes you can get them at the florists just not on stands or street vendors. ours is just 400 meters away. Happy 1st!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Florists are not open here but I suspect you can buy them in the supermarket.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes that is another possibility. The florist here open for today but one inside at a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
of course I am in a small town lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My fact of the day. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Andrew
LikeLike
Have a good weekend. It’s a long weekend in Ireland too and our annual public holiday is on Monday. Not that it changes anything as we are still living in isolation.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very true! You have a good weekend too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t realise this was a public holiday and my mum lives in France.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed it is though some of us are working ☹️
LikeLike
It’s good to have work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True!
LikeLike
Another tradition is to allow everyone to sell muguet for their own profit, without tax or license, only on May Day.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Ah, I didn’t know that!
LikeLike
Interesting tradition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to learn new things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I seem to not be the only one who has learned something new. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLike
Beautiful Sheree. Happy May.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy May Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Luisa
LikeLike
🌷🌷🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a nice custom! They have such a wonderful fragrance. 🙂
Here in Denmark they don’t even show their leaves yet. I can see the tops of the shoots coming up though … 😉
The first of May is here a holiday only for the workers, not other employees, who usually would have to work. They call it arbejdernes kampdag (the working men’s battle day).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, I do like that title
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating story. I never heard it before. I have always loved lily of the valley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are lovely aren’t they? I adore the scent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The scent is addictive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Julie
LikeLike
1948 was an important year. I was born.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic photo! It brings back wonderful memories; on a delayed honeymoon, my husband & I arrived in Paris on 1 May, decades ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted I could evoke happy memories
LikeLike
What a lovely tradition and photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLike
I love Lily of the Valley!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too
LikeLike