Discovering Beekeepers on the Côte d'Azur

The Côte d’Azur is a land of warmth and sun with wild and varied flora. Our friends the bees quite naturally love it there. Discover the different honeys found on the Côte d’Azur and their specificities thanks to some passionate ambassadors: beekeepers.

HONEY AND THE CÔTE D’AZUR…

… A WONDERFUL LOVE STORY

With the variety of fields and maquis, beekeepers here are able to collect a range of different honeys. The most famous is lavender honey which is clear and has a tangy flavour. Present throughout Provence and the Côte d’Azur, it is harvested from late June to early August. The very distinctive and creamy heather honey harvested in the high mountains is known as magic honey because of its therapeutic properties. Finally, rosemary honey is less frequently found on the Côte d’Azur – it is clear and subtle and with its stimulating properties is often recommended for babies and people under stress.

THE UNIQUE AND RARE CÔTE D’AZUR HONEYS…

Have you heard of thyme, arbutus and heather honeys?

The thyme flowers bloom in spring, especially in the garrigues and very sunny locations. The honey is dark coloured and has a strong aroma. The arbutus plants on the other hand, are found up in the maquis landscapes – the bees like it but production is low, so to the great despair of connoisseurs who love its pronounced taste, this honey is scarce. Finally, heather grows on the lower part of the maquis but doesn’t tolerate heat. In the rare years it survives, the bees rush to its flowers making it a highly sought-after honey.

WHAT ABOUT BEING A BEEKEEPER FOR A DAY ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR?

Head for La-Colle-sur-Loup, to discover the secrets of the bees’ gold!

Passionate beekeepers, Olivier and Xavier Valette have created « Le Petit Caiolais » and « L’Abeille Savonneuse » in La Colle-sur-Loup and will be delighted to introduce you to the fascinating world of bees. After this visit, honey and the various products of the hive will hold no further secrets! For their honey production, Olivier and Xavier favour the little areas of wild paradise around Nice: Col de Vence, Escragnolles, Les Grès d’Annot are remarkably biodiverse sites that produce exceptional local honey.

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DISCOVER THE FASCINATING WORK OF A BEEKEEPER!

Workshops aimed at families and anyone interested to learn more are held regularly. From extracting the honey from the hives to the secret of making artisanal confectionery and a tasting, you’ll become the perfect beekeeper!

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DISCOVERING BEEKEEPERS

ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR

By The BeeShary bee

The BeeShary bee is passionate about local produce, loves travelling and meeting local artisans for inspiration. It then relates everything it’s learned about people who are passionate about their work, about their extraordinary know-how and high quality products, and their breathtaking landscapes. BeeShary’s bee has just one goal: to give you an insider’s view and the keys to a different way of visiting the Côte d’Azur by introducing you to the people that have shaped it.

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