Lily of the Valley – a long tradition on May Day in France

The Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), also known as May Bells, Our Lady's Tears, and Mary's Tears, blooms in spring from early May.

In France, 1 May is the Labour Day holiday. It is a tradition to give others a sprig of Lily of the Valley (Muguet in French) as a symbol of good luck. The tradition began in mediaeval times, which became official on 1 May 1561 when King Charles IX received a sprig and subsequently gave a sprig to every lady in his court.

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Martina Nicolls is an Australian author and international human rights-based consultant in education, healing and wellbeing, peace and stabilization, and foreign aid audits and evaluations. She lives in Paris.

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