LA FETE DU MUGUET
One of the most charming customs the French have is to offer a petite porte-bonheur {bringer of happiness} - a bouquet of Lily of the Valley - to each other on May 1st. Such a sweet and perfect way to usher in the month of floral perfection, MAY!
I know it's still a couple of days or so away, but I'm looking so forward to May and all it has to offer that I'm jumping in ahead of time! The 1st of May is a French holiday. May Day was originally a joyous pagan holiday celebrating the promise of spring, now in France it's actually their Labor Day. But it's that sweet custom of offering loved ones and neighbors the floral gesture in celebration of spring that I find most endearing. It's la Fête du Muguet!
A few days before the day, vendors pop up on every corner, selling bouquets of Muguet de Bois, or Lily of the Valley. Although selling any kind of flowers on the street in France always requires a permit - along with the endless European bureaucratic waiting, filling out forms etc. - for this special holiday, anyone, everywhere in France is exempted. No permits, no taxes required, just the pure joy of selling those adorable white flowers!
Muguet de bois are the most beautiful delicate looking flowers, they grow as a wild woodland plant throughout Europe. They were not really considered a garden plant until the mid 16th century. Since the Renaissance, they have been considered to bring good fortune or luck.
Each clochette shaped flower has the sweetest scent. Every florist shop in France offers both bouquets of the bell shaped wonders, as well as potted plants. Often, shopkeepers will add a small token - un brin de muguet- to each regular customer's order. Beautifully boxed treats will leave the local patisserie with a ribbon and a petit bouquet of the flowers tucked under the bow.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? OR FLORAL CUSTOM?
See you next time!
I know it's still a couple of days or so away, but I'm looking so forward to May and all it has to offer that I'm jumping in ahead of time! The 1st of May is a French holiday. May Day was originally a joyous pagan holiday celebrating the promise of spring, now in France it's actually their Labor Day. But it's that sweet custom of offering loved ones and neighbors the floral gesture in celebration of spring that I find most endearing. It's la Fête du Muguet!
A few days before the day, vendors pop up on every corner, selling bouquets of Muguet de Bois, or Lily of the Valley. Although selling any kind of flowers on the street in France always requires a permit - along with the endless European bureaucratic waiting, filling out forms etc. - for this special holiday, anyone, everywhere in France is exempted. No permits, no taxes required, just the pure joy of selling those adorable white flowers!
Muguet de bois are the most beautiful delicate looking flowers, they grow as a wild woodland plant throughout Europe. They were not really considered a garden plant until the mid 16th century. Since the Renaissance, they have been considered to bring good fortune or luck.
Each clochette shaped flower has the sweetest scent. Every florist shop in France offers both bouquets of the bell shaped wonders, as well as potted plants. Often, shopkeepers will add a small token - un brin de muguet- to each regular customer's order. Beautifully boxed treats will leave the local patisserie with a ribbon and a petit bouquet of the flowers tucked under the bow.
Antique Hand Painted Muguet de Bois Porcelain Vase
Vintage Linen Muguet de Bois Tablecloth
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? OR FLORAL CUSTOM?
See you next time!
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Janet
May 01, 2018
Thank you for the story of the sweeet Lily of the Valley. I have a lovely bed of them in my back yard and will pick a bouquet of them for a dear friend and one for my bedside table as well.