Honey from the châteaux of the Loire Valley An exceptional gourmet treasure

Discover the exceptional honey from the châteaux of the Loire, a gourmet treasure produced in the heart of the royal estates by passionate beekeepers. Let yourself be seduced by a variety of honeys, born from the floral wealth of historic gardensand sublimated in the region’s gourmet restaurants!

A honey born in the heart of the châteaux

Bees are passionate about pollinating the majestic gardens of exceptional places. In the flower beds of Château d’Artigny, the hives buzz to the rhythm of the seasons, while the estate’s forest provides a natural refuge for these precious workers.

Michaël Preteseille, passionate beekeeper at the Rucher de la Dame Blanche, watches over his colonies with great care. His beehives, set in some of Touraine’s finest heritage sites, produce nectars with unique flavours that top chefs sublimate in their creations at L’Evidence or Les Arpents. You can also savour these golden sweets during a gourmet break at Le Liberté, L’Opidom or L’Auberge du Bon Laboureur.

La Bonne Étape : le rucher de la Dame Blanche

Honey massage

For an even more original experience, treat yourself to a honey massage at Loire Valley Lodges, where the restorative properties of this natural treasure are at work just a few steps away from the beehives. The lodges in the middle of the forest, the two restaurants and the lovely swimming pool make this a timeless place to stay!

Loire Valley Lodges

The partners of the Rucher de la Dame Blanche

The passionate producers of Touraine

Throughout Touraine, our local beekeepers are perpetuating an age-old tradition. In their shops, markets, tourist sites and grocery shops, discover the subtle aromas of all-flower honeys that tell the story of our region. The Rucher de la Dame Blanche, mentioned above for its honey sold in the shops of its partner châteaux, also welcomes you to Civray-de-Touraine, and offers training courses and apitherapy!

You can also buy honey from“Aux Délices de l’Abeille” (Azay-sur-Cher), a family of beekeepers going back three generations, who produce honeys with authentic flavours. On their website, you can discover the full range of Touraine honeys, from delicate spring honey to the intense notes of forest honey. One last address? Ruch’ées & fées, with a shop in Veigné!

Visit the bee house Nearby gîte: the enchanted beehive!

La Maison de l'Abeille

The unique terroir of the châteaux

Among the flowers that line the paths of French gardens, bees carefully select the best species. This exceptional botanical wealth gives rise to nectars with incomparable flavours. The lavender beds of the Villandry estate, the rose gardens of Le Rivau and the garden-village of Chédigny are ideal for foraging.

As the seasons go by, each harvest reveals the subtle fragrances of this living heritage. Delicate notes of acacia mingle with the more intense aromas of chestnut, creating a unique palette of flavours. This aromatic signature bears witness to the perfect alliance between the unspoilt nature of the royal estates and the expertise of Touraine’s beekeepers.

The gardens of Touraine

In a nutshell on honey from the châteaux of the Loire

A royal honey with unique flavours

Bees pollinate the historic gardens, creating a nectar with exceptional aromas

Preserving traditional skills

Beekeepers harvest this treasure using traditional, natural methods.

An immersion in the heart of beekeeping

Take part in workshops to discover the secrets of royal honey.

Excellent craftsmanship

The skills of Touraine’s beekeepers have been handed down from generation to generation, with all the delicacy required to harvest this exceptional nectar. The honey is harvested by hand, using a traditional centrifuge that preserves all its qualities.

Each stage follows a natural rhythm that respects the colonies. The frames are gently uncapped, then the honey gently drips off before being put into jars. This traditional method guarantees a pure honey, with preserved aromas, that tells the story of Touraine’s royal gardens.

©Spa nordique du Domaine des Thomeaux|One Seb Photos

Where can you taste this exceptional honey?

At L’Evidence, the chef sublimates the honey from the châteaux in his sweet and savoury creations. Book a table at Château d’Artigny, where the estate’s beehives provide a delicate nectar that you’ll find at breakfast as well as in the refined desserts of the gourmet restaurant.

For a complete wellness experience, the Domaine des Thomeaux welcomes you for massages with the soothing properties of honey, followed by a gourmet break overlooking the gardens.