Did you know that in France the First of May is a public holiday, officially known as La Fête du Travail (National Labour Day) but also called La Fête du Muguet (Lily of the Valley Day)? It is an occasion to present Lily of the Valley flowers to loved ones. The French tradition of giving Lily of the Valley on May Day is supposed to have begun on May 1st, 1561, when King Charles IX of France was presented with a bunch of Lily of the Valley flowers as a token of luck and prosperity for the coming year. I am so charmed by this lovely tradition, I decided to share some Lily of the Valley inspiration…
Carolyne Roehm
Carolyne Roehm
Carolyne Roehm
Carolyne Roehm
Carolyne Roehm
Carolyne Roehm
Tory Burch
Kate Middleton
Grace Kelly
Happy Lily of the Valley Day! Click here to learn more about this delightful French holiday. Most of the Carolyne Roehm images can be found in her fabulous book Flowers.
La Fête du Muguet
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A Timeless Classic – Desert Rose by Franciscan
My favorite flower. I could be surrounded by their scent every day!
Mine are not yet in bloom and I can’t wait. There is something so exquisite and tiny and temporal about Lily-of-the-Valley. Carolyne Roehm really knows how to make a presentation, doesn’t she? And seeing it in bridal bouquets is somehow very fitting. Lily-of-the-Valley are also known as May Bells, and in France muguet de bois, or “lily of the valley in the wood,” loosely translated. It’s also the national flower of Finland.
Beautiful tradition!
I was struck by the appearance of sadness on the exquisite face of Princess Grace-
They say she really didn’t want to give up her career as an actress?
Thanks for the lovely images !