aixcentric

May Day in Aix has always been a good opportunity for locals to earn a few euros selling little posies of lilies of the valley.

For newcomers to France, tradition has it that if someone offers you a sprig of lily of the valley, it will bring good luck. Apparently, over 60 million ‘brins de muguet’ are sold in France every year, and it’s a boon for charities and labour organisations who are allowed to sell bouquets of lily of the valley, tax-free, on the streets.

The problem is that it’s a nice little earner for all and sundry and so the Mairie in Aix has emphasised that it is for charitable or neighbourhood organisations only, and has published the following rules:

• Sales only on May 1st
• Must be over 100m from any florist shop
• No tables or chairs; can’t sell from a bike, car or pram
• Must be a simple ‘brin de muguet’, so no added flowers, plants, pottery etc.  Just a straighforward cellophane wrap.

Not that the sellers in Aix last year seemed to be taking much notice of any of this….

Enjoy La Fête du Muguet and La Fête du Travail!