May 1st in France – A Day for Workers, and for the Garden

Every year, May 1st in France feels like a gentle pause — a national holiday that celebrates workers' rights, yes, but also offers a moment to slow down and breathe in the season. For me, it’s also the day my lily of the valley begins to bloom in the garden.

There’s something magical about these tiny white bells, hidden beneath their wide green leaves. In France, it’s tradition to give a small sprig of muguet to friends and family on May 1st — a gesture meant to bring happiness and good luck. I love this ritual. There’s no pressure, no commercial fuss — just a quiet kindness, passed from hand to hand.

This morning, I walked out barefoot onto the back terrace and picked a few stems. Their scent is light but unforgettable, like a whisper of spring. I placed them in a small jar on the kitchen table, where their presence feels like a soft celebration of the day.

While protests and marches take place across the country — a powerful reminder of our shared rights and struggles — I find joy in this smaller tradition. A flower. A moment. A wish for happiness.

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