May 1st in France is la fête du travail (labor day, lit. the work holiday) and is also la journée internationale des travailleurs (workers international holiday), which began as a day for workers to faire la grève (go on strike; lit. do the strike), and is still now a day where certain organizations protest in the streets.
But May 1st has an older tradition still: celle d’offrir un brin de muguet (that of offering a sprig of Lily of the Valley), un geste qui porte bonheur (an act which gives good luck; lit. carries happiness).
This tradition dates back to the Renaissance and King Charles IX who started the custom after receiving a bouquet. However, in the 15th century, May 1 was une fête de l’amour (a celebration of love) where lords went into the forest and crafted des couronnes de feuillages et de fleurs (crowns of foliage and flowers) to offer them to their friends or personne bien-aimée (beloved one).
People also organized “bals du muguet” where young girls dressed in white and young men decorated their boutonnière (buttonhole) with a sprig of Lily of the Valley.
The Lily of the Valley is the symbol of springtime par excellence (being the best of the kind; lit. by excellence).
Here is a classic children song about the muguet:
À la ronde du muguet
À la ronde du muguet (The Lily of the Valley round)
Sans rire et sans parler (No laughing and no talking)
Le premier qui rira (The first to laugh)
Ira au piquet ! (Will go in the corner!)
