May 1st is Labor Day in France, and is also the day where the French celebrate spring by offering small sprigs of muguet (Lilies of the Valley) as a porte bonheur (good luck charm) to those who hold a special place in their hearts. For the past few days, all around Paris (and the rest of France) there have been people selling little bunches of Lilies-of-the-Valley for a euro or two. Since May 1st is the only time of the year when people can sell flowers on the street without having to buy a permit, muguets are everywhere- (The scent of the muguet actually makes the rush-hour metro ride bearable!) Everywhere you look, you see people exchanging flowers and well-wishes for the coming season- it’s such a sweet tradition!
Supposedly, this custom started during the 16th Century, when wedding banns were posted at the beginning of May, and wreaths of muguet were hung in the doorways of the brides-to-be. During his reign, Charles IX also began offering muguets for luck. In the late 1800s, the international workers movement declared the first of May as May Day, in honor of the workers of the world.
In France, workers and their supporters wore lily-of-the-valley boutonnières. These days, French tradition says that you must offer au moins un brin de muguet (”at least one sprig of Lily of the Valley”) to loved ones on May Day…
For a spring or summer wedding, what better way to incorporate this French tradition into your wedding than by featuring Lilies-of the Valley in your floral arrangement? In the Victorian language of flowers, by the way, lily-of-the-valley signified the return of happiness.
The lily-of-the valley motif is very pretty on wedding stationery as well. I saw these sweet place cards at www.favorideas.com for $10 for 20 cards, and a beautiful lily-of-the valley wedding suite by Cranes at www.crane.com
Here in Paris, my “most girliest hangout“, Ladurée, has created a Boite Muguet in celebration of this tradition. From their marketing packet: “As a traditional fleeting treat to celebrate the First of May, Ladurée brings you an exquisite lucky charm as transient as the clouds! This pale-green macaroon is filled with a foamy white cream, delicately perfumed with a hint of Lilies-of-the-Valley. The Lily-of-the-Valley macaroon is accompanied by an elegant gift box decorated with a locket of tiny tinkerbells.” Ahhh……
You’ve got to hurry if you want to get in on the goodness, though. The Boite Muguet is available at Ladurée boutiques only until the 6th of May!
Those macaroons look scrumptious! I am going to need to visit Paris soon.