Fête du Travail

Fête du Travail (Labor Day) is a public holiday in France, held every year on May 1st. It celebrates the rights and achievements of workers. It’s also a day when people join marches or protests to support better working conditions.

This day is part of a global tradition. In many countries, May 1st is known as International Workers’ Day.

Where Did It Come From?

The idea began in the late 1800s, during a time when workers around the world were demanding an 8-hour workday.

• In 1889, international labor groups declared May 1st a day of protest.
• In France, the first May Day demonstrations happened in 1890.
• Over time, May 1st became known as a day to support workers' rights.

How Is It Celebrated?

Marches and Protests

Unions and worker organizations hold marches across France. These events are a way to:

• Show unity among workers
• Call for better wages and working conditions
• Protest changes to labor laws

The Lily of the Valley

It’s tradition to give or sell lily of the valley flowers (muguet) on May 1st. These flowers symbolize good luck and springtime.

• Selling muguet on the street is allowed that day, as long as it’s picked from the wild and not sold as part of a business.
• This custom started in the early 1900s and continues today.

A Complicated History

May 1st hasn’t always been simple. Different governments in France have tried to change the meaning of the day:

• In 1941, during World War II, the Vichy regime renamed it “Fête du Travail et de la Concorde sociale” (Labor and Social Harmony Day) to remove its links to worker protests.
• After the war, the name “Fête du Travail” stayed, but the original spirit of workers’ struggle and solidarity remained strong, especially in union traditions.

Is It a National Holiday?

Yes! Since 1948, May 1st has been:

• A paid public holiday in France
• A day off for most workers
• A day when schools, government offices, and many businesses close

However, it is not officially called a "national holiday" in the same way as Bastille Day.

Why Does the Name Matter?

Some people and political groups debate what the day should be called:

• Many unions and left-wing groups prefer “International Workers’ Day” to highlight the day’s roots in labor movements.
• Others use “Fête du Travail” (Labor Day), though this name was promoted by past governments to soften its activist meaning.

Despite the name differences, May 1st in France remains a powerful symbol of worker rights, protest, and solidarity.