May Day traditions in France

May Day in France is all about two things: muguet, pronounced "moo-gay" (lily of the valley in English) and Labour Day. On the 1st of May friends and family offer each other little sprigs, bouquets or whole plants of lily of the valley for good luck.  The more little bell-like flowers the plant has, the better the luck.  This day is pretty much the only public holiday where just about everything is closed.  It really is a day off for workers.