About You and Your Journey
Can you tell us the story behind The Loreline Apiary?
How did you become a beekeeper?
It all began during my summer vacations in Charente-Maritime, where I first discovered the fascinating world of bees. I quickly developed a deep admiration for these little workers who are so essential to our ecosystem. Years went by, and I eventually moved to Maine-et-Loire, near Doué-la-Fontaine.
2004
In 2004, I met Céline — my future partner — who shared my values and love for nature.
The real spark came a few years later, when I met a local beekeeper. That encounter brought back memories from my childhood and reignited an old dream: to one day dedicate myself to beekeeping. Inspired, I shared the idea with Céline. Our shared enthusiasm and desire to work hand in hand on something meaningful gave rise to a beautiful adventure.
2021
In 2021, we took the leap. Together, we founded The Loreline Apiary, a name born from the combination of our two first names (Céline and Olivier), symbolizing our union in this project.éline et Olivier), symbolisant notre union dans ce projet.
This artisanal apiary is more than just a business — it’s a tribute to biodiversity, a celebration of bees, and a commitment to their vital role on our planet.
In our daily lives, we devote all our free time to caring for our colonies and producing honeys that range from exceptional to more classic varieties. Our rich and diverse selection includes rare honeys as well as unique creations, like vanilla-infused honey.
For us, quality is an absolute priority. Every jar is the result of careful, thoughtful work — always in harmony with nature and with deep respect for the bees. Our commitment to biodiversity and our passion for our craft are reflected in every product we offer.
Where are you located, and what makes your bees’ environment unique?
We’re based in Maine-et-Loire, more precisely in Vaudelnay, between Montreuil-Bellay and Doué-en-Anjou.
What makes our bees’ environment truly unique is a combination of factors that support their health, productivity, and safety — including abundant and diverse flora, ideal sun exposure, natural shelter, nearby water sources, and very low exposure to pesticides.
Your Products and Expertise
What types of honey do you produce?
Are there any varieties specific to your region?
Our honey selection is rich and varied, including rare varieties as well as unique creations like vanilla– or chocolate-infused honey.
We offer a wide range of flavors — from mild wildflower honey to more distinctive single-origin types like linden or buckwheat.
Do you also work with other hive products (pollen, propolis, candles…)?
We offer honey candies, gingerbread, handcrafted candles, and even guided tours to help people discover the fascinating world of beekeeping.
Can you explain your artisanal approach and how you ensure the quality of your products?
Our approach is rooted in respecting the bees’ natural rhythm and using carefully mastered manual techniques.
What is the most intense time of year for a beekeeper?
And the most rewarding?
For a beekeeper, the year feels a bit like a four-act play — with moments of tension, urgency… and scenes of pure reward. Generally, the busiest season runs from April to July, while late July to August tends to be the most fulfilling.
Commitments & Environmental Responsibility
How do you care for your bees daily, and what best practices do you follow for their well-being?
We regularly monitor the hives, provide supplemental feeding when necessary, use natural protection against threats, and follow the bees’ own rhythm while preserving the surrounding environment.
In short, we support our bees rather than exploit them. Every action is guided by respect for their balance, health, and essential role in nature.
What measures do you take to protect the environment around your hives?
Our environmental practices include carefully selecting hive locations, promoting nectar-rich (melliferous) flora, responsible treatment management, protecting local wildlife, raising awareness and sharing knowledge.
In short, protecting bees means protecting the entire ecosystem. We aim to make every apiary a small sanctuary of biodiversity.
Do you collaborate with other local producers or participate in short supply networks?
Yes — for example, we source our vanilla pods from fellow local producers, and we also collaborate with some winemakers to establish flower strips within their vineyards.
To sum up, we believe honey tastes even better when it strengthens human connections.
Every jar sold locally supports both our bees and our community.
The Challenges of Beekeeping
Beekeeping can be fragile in the face of climate change. What are your biggest challenges today?
Our biggest challenges are weather, with increasingly unpredictable seasons, changing floral resources, due to summer droughts and delayed blooms, growing pressure from parasites and predators
But year after year, we adapt our practices to support our bees and safeguard the harvest.
How do you see the future of artisanal beekeeping in France?
There are real challenges ahead — climate stress, competition from imported honeys, and biodiversity loss.
But there are also strong opportunities: a return to authenticity, growing interest in short supply chains, and increasing awareness of bees’ importance in maintaining biodiversity.
We believe artisanal beekeeping has a solid future if it continues to focus on quality, transparency, and education. In the future, we’ll likely need to diversify with educational workshops, or offer value-added products like infused honeys, mead, propolis-based items, and beeswax candles.
The support of consumers and public policy will be crucial to preserve this traditional know-how and avoid industrial standardization.
Customers & What’s Next
Who are your main customers?
Locals, shops, markets?
Most of our customers are local residents, either through direct sales by appointment or online orders on our website. We also sell at local markets and events, and through small businesses and regional partners.
Do you have a flagship product you’re especially proud of?
The Loréline (summer honey with vanilla bean) and the Chocoline (spring honey with cocoa).
What are your upcoming projects?
Any new honey varieties or innovations you’d like to share?
We’d love to expand our range of honeys, even though it’s already quite diverse, and we also want to share our passion more widely through educational workshops.
To Wrap Up
If you had to describe The Loreline Apiary in three words, what would they be?
Authentic
Delicious
Committed
What message would you like to share with readers discovering your apiary for the first time?
At The Loreline Apiary, it’s a quiet little haven where bees work peacefully, at their own pace — and where every jar of honey tells a story of flowers, seasons, and passion.
Here, we respect the rhythm of nature, treat our bees like partners, and share with you the pure fruit of their labor. By enjoying our honey, you’re also tasting a commitment to a more vibrant and beautiful environment.
What advice or message would you like to share to inspire future generations to protect bees and the environment?
Protecting bees means protecting far more than just an insect — it’s about safeguarding the life that buzzes around us: spring flowers, summer fruits, and the rich diversity that gives our world its beauty.
Every small action matters: planting flowers, avoiding pesticides, leaving a wild patch in your garden… These simple choices, when combined, can shape a better future.
Bees show us the way: they work together and never take more than they need.
If we follow their example, future generations will inherit a planet full of color, fragrance, and life.