May 1st is upon us, and May 1st means Lily of the Valley. As usual, it's also Labor Day and therefore a public holiday, so there's no excuse - everyone's entitled to a little bit of happiness! All the more so as the harvest looks set to be a good one this year. In addition to florists, garden centers and supermarkets, street sales of lilies of the valley are also authorized on this spring day.
May 1st: why are lilies of the valley offered on this day? History and origins
On May 1st, a plant is on display everywhere in France: the famous lily of the valley. But why do we offer a sprig of lily of the valley every May 1st? We explain the history and origins of this tradition. [Read more]
Wondering how to sell lilies of the valley? Do I need authorization? Labor Day is the one and only day of the year when the sale of flowers (lily of the valley only) is authorized for everyone on the public highway. This means that anyone can sell lilies of the valley, but only under certain conditions:
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Want to find some lily of the valley yourself? If you're not far from a forest, why not try your luck along the wooded paths of the Île-de-France region? It's also a great idea to spend this May 1st with your family, discovering the coveted sprigs of lily of the valley with their beautiful bells.
Before you set off on your adventure, you should be aware that the wild harvesting of lily of the valley is highly unpredictable. Flowering depends on the weather, neither too rainy nor too cold. That said, the weather's looking pretty good for the period and they should appear. However, it is sometimes necessary to go deeper into the forest to find these precious sprigs of lily of the valley, which often grow in groups. The Rambouillet forest in the Yvelines and the Ferrières forest in Seine-et-Marne are particularly well-stocked spots!
A tip to preserve nature: remember to bring a knife to cut the sprigs of lily of the valley cleanly, and don't pull out the roots! Don't take it all - leave enough for everyone! And for the less resourceful, you'll be able to find lilies of the valley all over the streets this May 1st!
May 1st is lily of the valley day! If this flower smells good and we like to have it at home, be careful not to let your pets come in contact with it, because it is toxic for them! [Read more]
May 1st: why are lilies of the valley offered on this day? History and origins
May 1st: beware, lily of the valley is toxic for your pets!
