Meeting with Olivier, the castle’s beekeeper

First and foremost, it is a raw material, produced and consumed by an entire hive of tiny workers:bees are essential to all flora and fauna. They enable the reproduction of the many plant species from which they gather nectar to make the precious honey. They contribute to the richness of the Pyrenean landscapes.

Harvested for thousands of years, honey is prized for the diversity of its flavours, which vary depending on the flowers visited, but also for its natural properties. An antioxidant, soothing and recognised for its healing properties, it holds a special place in many traditions around the world.

In Lourdes, each harvest thus tells the story of a region, its flora and the expertise of the beekeepers who look after these precious foragers.

In Lourdes, this gift of nature has found the perfect setting:the fortified castle! At the foot of the Pyrenees, the bees are indeed the true ladies of the castle.

A privilege? No, there’s a perfectly good explanation: bees can quickly become aggressive if disturbed. Anyone who gets too close to the hive will find themselves stung! Sheltered within the fortified walls, they are ideally situated above the hustle and bustle of the town. The castle provides the perfect launchpad for these little workers. The gardens, balconies, hedgerows and forests are all inexhaustible sources of food.

It is Olivier Alary, the castle’s beekeeper, who looks after these ladies (and a few gentlemen, though they are very few in number in the hive). Checking the colony at the end of winter and maintaining a healthy hive are just some of the tasks Olivier has to carry out to keep the foragers’ spirits high and ensure they keep working hard!

But because there’s more to life than just work, the castle’s bees also go on holiday when summer arrives. To escape the threat of predators that thrive at lower altitudes – such as the infamous Asian hornets – their hives are moved up to Hautacam when summer arrives. Up there, they can also enjoy new, colourful flowers andan even wider variety of plant species.

It’s a whole life, lived through the changing seasons, that ultimately finds its way into the little golden jars of honey from the Château Fort de Lourdes, on sale in the shop!