The shops are shut, buses are not running, and unions are marching for workers’ rights, as France marks the Fête du Travail today.
Last year the French spent €31.8m to buy a sprig of lily of the valley (“muguet”) as a token of affection for family and loved ones.

The tradition of giving lily of the valley flowers on May 1 is said to have begun in 1560,
knight Louis Girard presented King Charles IX with a bunch of lily-of-the-valley flowers
as a token of luck and prosperity for the coming year.
It is said that Charles took a shine to the idea
and began the custom of presenting lily-of-the-valley flowers to the ladies of his court each year on the same day.



for others practising their abilities for the 'Skills in May' Challenge please see HERE