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.

Antique Hand Painted Muguet de Bois Porcelain Vase

I am always thrilled to find antique and vintage pieces for the shop at FrenchGardenHouse with these delicate lovely flowers. After all, what is more à propos than celebrating the month of May, when every flower and tree is bursting into blossom and our gardener's hearts are filled with the promise of our glorious gardens, than with the small and elegant Lily of the Valley? Antiques and vintage textiles and porcelains, or silver, are not that easy to find with the delicate Lily of the Valley. I think it's because, once anyone owns a treasure with these sweet blooms, they are loathe to let them go!

Vintage Swiss Handkerchief

Not just the symbol of May Day, the Lily of the Valley is known as May Lily and Our Lady’s Tears because folklore has it that the flowers grew from the tears shed by the Virgin Mary at the Cross. For centuries, muguet de bois was grown by monks to decorate their altar in chapel, they were also called Ladder to Heaven because the miniature flower bells grow like steps up from the stem.

Vintage Linen Muguet de Bois Tablecloth

Setting your table with a beautiful light pink and French bleu Linen tablecloth strewn with bouquets of muguet de bois to enjoy a tea time with your close friends would be one fun way to celebrate the beautiful month of May, wouldn't it? May is such a glorious month, filled with all the hope and wonder that spring can offer. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the give away...just a few more days left!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? OR FLORAL CUSTOM? See you next time!

31 comments

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.

Janet

It was wonderful seeing the Muguet de Bois bouquets. I feel like you sent them in time for my recovery from periodontal surgery.

Gloria

I love this story about these wonderful little flowers and the charming May Day tradition. Wish I could buy these on a street corner!

Joy

My favorite flower is Bells of Ireland. However, this beautiful sweet Lily of the Valley is also a favorite.

Karen

What a charming custom that I was unaware of. Thanks so much for the information. Such a warm and loving tradition.

Robin

I love lilies of the valley and this beautiful little vase. I have a patch of them in my garden and would love this vase! I see that it is temporarily out of stock. Would you please let me know when you have them again? I believe you have my email. Or I could contact you? Thanks, Lidy!

Sharon Crigger-Stokan

Every time I pick little bouquets of the Lily of the Valley, I think of my husband’s grandmother, who was always very Special to me.

What a lovely custom to give friends the Muguet de Bois bouquets. I love the porcelain Lily of the Valley Vase that you have displayed, and see that it sold.
Have a lovely weekend Lidy XO

Janice Zencka

We don’t grow Lilly of the Valley but our neighbor does and they share. What I notice about the plants is that they spread and will take over if you are careful. They have a wonderful perfume that fills the house. Love your post.

Alice

Just looked out my kitchen window , my dogwood is blooming , also a favorite
My husbands grandmother painted dogwood which I have framed , she painted it in 1911 . One of my favorites of her paintings . It also dated April 25 , which is my birthday

Chris Roberts

Oh, I love that Carol. Bittersweet, but sweet never the less!

Lidy