The first school apiary of the Central Beekeeping Society, founded in 1856 by Henri Hamet, was created that same year in the nursery of the Luxembourg Garden, thanks to the concession contract granted by General Marquis d'Hautpoul, Grand Referendary of the Senate.
This monumental apiary could accommodate about twenty colonies of bees and displayed a large number of hive models and beekeeping instruments. The rear part was reserved for students and a small area allowed for the cultivation of samples of melliferous plants.
The destruction of the nursery in 1866, following the urban planning works of Baron Haussmann, led to the temporary disappearance of the Apiary, which was reestablished in 1872 at its current location. Since then, training in modern apicultural techniques for an ever-increasing number of students continues under the direction of the Central Beekeeping Society. Each year, the honey harvest is sold at the garden's orangery during the autumn exhibition.
The current Luxembourg school apiary was completely rebuilt in April 1991 and perpetuates the uncommon tradition of an apiary right in the centre of Paris.
Information
Société Centrale d'Apiculture : 41, rue Pernety, 75014 Paris
Tel : 01 45 42 29 08