The tradition of the May trees

At the bend in a street or a path, you sometimes come across trees that are a little different from the others. Covered with garlands, tied with flowers, the May tree (or maiade) is erected in honour of a neighbour, a friend, an elected official, a district... It is stripped of its branches and carried, sometimes during the day followed by a tumultuous procession, sometimes at night escorted in a hullabaloo of excited whispers. Three wreaths traditionally decorate these trees, which grow each spring. Everyone participates in the decoration of the tree, especially the children, who are the bearers, if not of the tree, of the tradition that accompanies it for future generations.