Fête des Mêres

One of the many, many benefits of living in France for Anna is that she gets to celebrate two Mothers’ Days.  This year, for instance, Mothers’ Day in the US is on May 11^th, and Mothers’ Day in France is on May 25^th.

In the past our son, Mark has tried mightily to have flowers delivered to Anna on the US Mothers’ Day.  Various flower Delivery companies that claim to deliver worldwide have assured him that his choice of bouquets would be delivered in a timely fashion and on THE day.  All have failed.  Once, the local Delivery Company even informed us that our address didn’t exist.  (That time, our good friend, Dominique, even intervened for us, telling them it did exist, she was French, and she had lived at that very address. That bouquet arrived but was late.) Another time Mark chose an international company that worked with a florist around the corner and down rue Lafayette from us – still nothing but head scratching and confusion.  Then David offered to buy a bouquet and deliver it for Mark.  Problem solved.  From that day on, David was christened Mark’s “Preferred Vendor.”

This year instead of going to a florist, David went to Anna’s favorite “flower and plant lady” at our local farmers' Marché.  David says the lady was confused when he kept choosing bouquets and ended up with four large, lovely ones (and even saved Mark money in the process).  However, she definitely approved when David explained that Mothers’ Day US was on the following Sunday. Here’s a photo of the beautiful results.

Thank you to Mark (and his “Preferred “Vendor.)

May Day in France!

May Day in France is quite different from May Day in the US.  No little kids leaving small bouquets by front doors, ringing doorbells, and running away here. (Do they still do that in the US?)

In France, May 1^st is Labor Day, La Fête du Travail, a serious national holiday!  It is the only day of the year when employees are legally obliged to be given leave (except for some professions that cannot be interrupted, like in hospitals for example). And, if May 1^st falls on a Thursday, as it does this year, most workers are also expected to take the following day, Friday, May 2^nd, off to "faire le pont" (“create a bridge” to include the following day to make a long weekend).

In France, May 1st is also linked to muguets, Lillies of the Valley. Offering a little muguet in spring was actually common way back in medieval times, but it became official May 1st, 1561, when King Charles IX, having received a sprig himself, decided to return the gesture and offer the flower to every lady in his court. 

It’s a tradition that really caught on!  In preparation for May Day, Muguets are for sale everywhere, in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, on street corners – everywhere. (Although, we have not seen as many street vendors in Lyon as in the past.) According to Le Figaro, over 60 million brins or sprigs of muguets are sold in France every year, representing an official market of around €24 million, and if you take into account the many street vendors, the unofficial figure is likely four times as high.

We have always made it a point to get muguets when we are in Lyon.  At first we would just buy sprigs and put them into a vase, but lately we've purchased small plants since we like to enjoy them longer.  Afterall, they bring good luck!  This year Anna bought hers from her favorite “plant and flower lady” in our local farmers’ Marché.

Our 2025 Muguets 

Lunches in Lyon

 One of the many fun things to do in Lyon is to share a meal with friends.  There are many, many restaurants in Lyon, the gourmet capital of France. Restaurants here come in all sizes and styles from “mom and pops” to larger and more formal.  Add some of the remarkable friends we have made in France, and you have a delightful recipe for great conversations on a variety of topics served with wonderful meals.

Here are some examples:

Estelle and our daughter, Jill, met when they were 15 and 16 and involved in an exchange program. Jill spent a month in Lyon with Estelle and her family, and Estelle flew back to the US with Jill and spent a month with us.  And, it was magic - we’ve been “family” ever since then.  Estelle refers to us as her American parents, and she is our French daughter.  Through the years our French family has grown to include Estelle’s husband, Laurent, their sons, her mother, and extended family.  So it’s not surprising that spending time with our French family is high on our list of priorities when we are in Lyon.

Here’s a photo of Estelle, Laurent, and us having lunch soon after we returned to Lyon this year.

When we first arrived in Lyon in 2010, we became members of AVF (Accueil des villes françaises).  This organization was initiated by and continues to be partially supported by the French government to assist both returning French and expats living in France integrate into modern French society.  Through AVF we have met folks from all over the world, and have learned about, toured, and experienced France in wonderful ways.  Recently, David attended a monthly Men’s Lunch, an event started by our good friend Roger Micallef.  

That’s David - second from the right.

Also, shortly after we first arrived in Lyon, our friends, Roger and Dominique, invited us to attend a Del Cano lunch with them.  Del Cano was started as an organization of ex-RAF folks.  Juan Sebastián Elcano (del Cano) was the Spanish navigator who completed Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe after Magellan was killed in the Philippines.  He was the unsung hero who got the job done.  Naturally, this is primarily a group of British people, although they have generously included a few of us “colonials” in their lunches.  Another group of very interesting folks from a different part of the world!  Anna went to lunch with them this week at a small restaurant in historic Vieux Lyon.  The topics of conversation varied widely and even included an invitation to the upcoming celebration of the King’s birthday.

That’s Anna on the right between the lady in pink
and the lady in blue.

Good food, interesting conversations - doesn't get much better than that!