The story of this habit dates back far. In ancient Rome, flowering was already celebrated around the end of April and the beginning of May. The Celts had a similar holiday, Beltaine, which marked the passage from the dark season to the clear season.
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The tradition dates back to the time of Charles IX. On May 1, 1560, the king was offered a sprig of lily of the valley during a visit to the Dauphiné. He would have appreciated the gesture so much that he would have decided to take up this idea to offer each spring a sprig of lily of the valley to the ladies of the court. It's a lucky charm today.
