Le Premier Mai

Today is May day/le premier Mai, one of the most important holidays on the French calendar. It’s their version of Labor Day in the U. S., a workman’s holiday. All of Paris is closed including museums, shops and even my Club Med Gym (can’t work off those calories from my big dinner last night). One of the traditions of this holiday is to give friends and family a Lily of the Valley plant or stem. The tradition started on May 1 1562, when King Charles IX received one as a lucky charm and each year after that he offered them to the ladies of the court.

Hundreds of stands are set up all over the city selling the white, fragrant lovelies and many organizations raise money by selling them because they are exempt from paying tax on them.

I bought mine from a cute young girl sporting a stylish silver studded black cap in front of the St. Paul church (pictured above).

A Version in Chocolate

In My Apartment

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Comments

[Maria Ruiz]

Hey Richard, wish I was there to celebrate this holiday, as it would mean I am not at work today. Love the flowers. Also really liked the new Sunday idea with Polly, I checked out her blog too. I am jealous, so wish I could live there. Miami weather is great, beautiful and sunny today.

[Polly-Vous Francais]

Hi Richard -- I love your muguet photos. And that young girls is adorable!

I was thinking about the phrase "May Day/Le Premier Mai," and of course the emergency radio call, "Mayday, mayday!" has nothing to do with May 1, but does comes from the French: "M'aidez."

[Polly-Vous Francais]

Oops, hit "publish comment" too soon.

Or perhaps it's 'm'aider.' Anyway, I'm sure there's a May-day spin on that one somewhere!

Cheerio