La Butinerie, a sensory museum to reinvent the educational experience

In Bormes-les-Mimosas, in the Angueiroun district, the passion for beekeeping has taken on a new dimension. Laura and Rémi Boulet, renowned bee breeders, have transformed their farm, La Butinerie, by adding a modern sensory museum dedicated to the fascinating world of bees.

The inauguration gathered many personalities, testifying to the importance of the initiative. Among those present were François Arizzi, the first magistrate, elected officials from the municipality and Le Lavandou, François de Canson, mayor of La Londe-les-Maures and president of the Regional Tourism Committee, and Christian Simon, departmental councillor.

No more frozen museums. La Butinerie wants to reinvent the educational experience through an immersive pathway designed to fascinate both young and old.

IMMERSIVE PATHWAY

The museum offers a very modern scenography. Through videos, fun hands-on activities, and an impressive glass hive allowing visitors to observe the bees in complete safety, they discover the secrets of honey making, from the flower to the jar. The pathway was designed to be both fun and informative, for children and adults alike.

"To show the reality of our profession with our real professional tools. From the breeding of our princesses to the potting of their honey, we carry out every step ourselves; with the greatest care to offer only our French honeys, coming from our farm"

Beyond the fascination for bees, Laura Boulet points out the reality of a demanding profession, deeply impacted by current upheavals. She insists on the professionalism required to guarantee a quality product:

"We are aware that the quality of our honey is a reflection of the quality of our work. Compliance with health regulations and good beekeeping practices is essential"

Established in the village since 2015, the beekeepers have faced the consequences of climate change.

"The honeymoon was short. The seasons go by and are never the same. Extreme weather events are becoming recurrent: drought, late frost, too mild a winter or rainy spring... Nature is changing. This new reality has forced the farm to adapt. To follow increasingly shifting flowerings, like that of lavender which is moving northwards, they acquired a new honey house in central France. Rémi, like a 'bee shepherd', now manages the hives in the South and the Centre, a more intense work to continue practicing the profession that is close to their hearts"

SENTINEL

For the Boulet couple, the bee is much more than a simple honey-producing insect because it is a sentinel of the environment, sensitive to pollution and harmful treatments.

"Present on Earth for millions of years, bees have always known how to evolve and adapt. But today, we see very clearly, on our scale, their decline. In the face of growing threats such as the Asian hornet, the varroa parasite, and climatic hazards, their commitment is only stronger. Being a beekeeper, for them, is a job that makes sense and gives them the energy to overcome challenges"

La Butinerie welcomes the public for an immersion in the heart of their passion. The fun and interactive pathway is a multi-sensory experience during which visitors can see, touch, smell, and taste. Visits are also organized for school groups.

An award-winning family farm

The story of La Butinerie is a family affair, passed down from father to son since 1987. Today, the farm extends from the Var to the Berry, by way of the Massif Central.