Daily Life. Selling Lily of the Valley on May 1st: What Are You Allowed to Do (or Not)?

It's a tradition as old as time. Every May 1st, it's customary to offer a sprig of lily of the valley as a lucky charm to a loved one. Every year, on Labor Day, street stalls pop up all over the streets selling these small flowers with white bells. While all street sales are regulated and subject to authorization, there is an exception for the sale of lily of the valley on May 1st. But there are a few rules to follow.

This Thursday, everyone—individuals and associations alike—is allowed to sell lily of the valley on the street. However, before setting up shop, remember to check the regulations with your local town hall: sales are generally regulated by municipal bylaws. For example, minors may be prohibited from selling lily of the valley or may require a free permit.

Furthermore, you cannot sell just any lily of the valley. Only wild lily of the valley, picked in the woods, or lily of the valley from your garden, is authorized for sale. Be careful: its collection is regulated, however, since the products of a forest belong to its owners. On its website , the National Forestry Office reminds that the collection must be "reasonable" and in limited quantities, "what the hand can hold", or approximately 10 to 15 stems of lily of the valley per person. Abusive collection can be punished with a fine.

There are also a few rules to follow at the point of sale, which should not be located near a florist. It is also forbidden - in theory - to use chairs, tables, trestles, or anything else that could represent the point of sale.

Only lily of the valley and nothing but lily of the valley: these small stems with white bells must be sold in sprigs, without adding any other flowers or packaging. A container with a little water and your freshly picked sprigs will suffice.

Finally, one last instruction when you settle in: you must not obstruct the passage or constitute a danger to pedestrians and vehicles.

Failure to comply with current regulations could result in a fine of 300 euros. Be careful, this wild sale in May is only authorized for lily of the valley!

This tradition is still very much alive. In 2024, on May 1st, the French spent a total of €19.4 million on lily of the valley, with an average price of €7.40. 80% of these little white bells were given to someone. (*)

(*) Study carried out using the Kantar consumer panel for Valhor and FranceAgriMer (2022, 2023 and 2024 data). Sample of 7,000 households representative of households aged 18 and over located in France.