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

Ginger, isn’t it? I love the whole custom, so sweet. And then there are the Lily of the Valley flowers, they are so special!

Lidy

Those decorated pieces are heaven sent! Thanks for sharing the story of these flowers. I’d never heard of this, and such a sweet way to celebrate friendship, spring, and the beauty of life!

Ginger Valdes

I love this flower but didn’t know about la Fête du Muguet. Thanks for such an informative and delightful post!

Amie

Shirley, how wonderful to have Lily of the Valley in you wedding bouquet! I can only imagine how beautiful that was. Happy weekend, friend. We’ll be working in and enjoying the garden.

Lidy

Happy upcoming May Day!….Lily of the Valley is near and dear to my heart as it was in my wedding bouquet!
I can imagine the streets of France days before May Day….One of the things I loved most about France was their beautiful markets filled with the color of farm fresh produce and gorgeous flowers. Gorgeous Lily of the Valley items!!!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs

Thank you so much for the beautiful reminder.

MaryD

I just planted some hand me down lily of the valley. Maybe someday I will have enough to give friends Muguet de Bois.

Jethelyn Gregory

Such a sweet little blossom and oh so fragrant! Twice I was lucky enough to be in France on May 1 and so enjoyed the festive atmosphere. The first time I was totally taken by surprise because it wasn’t a custom I was familiar with. Your wonderful post today brings back fond memories of trips to France with my sister … thank you!! I’ve never seen these for sale in a nursery here so I plan to order some plants today.

Vicky

Lidy, I always enjoy the history and lore behind the antiquities you present. That hankie is so lovely. I don’t really have any favorite floral customs to offer, but my heart smiles each time lilacs bloom, as I recall my mother so loving the lilac festival each spring in Rochester, NY, where she grew up. I planted one just for her memory.

Rita C at Panoply

I didn’t know about the lily of the valley. Thanks for the information. Count me in on the giveaway.

Eileen