A living museum
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The Living Museum of Beekeeping is also a beekeeping farm. Its doors open to all visitors. During the harvesting season, visitors can witness the extraction of the honey everyday. The public can easily and safely observe the bees thanks to seven glass hives of various shapes: modern hives, small hives, old fashioned hive, wild hive… |
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Two small glass hives in particular were designed to help the observation of the Queen bee (here marked with a yellow spot) and of the bees’ daily work in the hive. Come and see the Queen lay its eggs, the pollen loaded workers dance around to indicate the position of flowers and the honey shine down the combs. |
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A genuine place
The Museum is part of a traditional gâtinaise farm in Château-Renard, and has been a family house for many generations.
Dominique and Jacques Goût are your hosts and share their passion for the nature and the world of bees.
The museum viewed from above.
The fields around are a fine example of the gâtinaise landscape. The Museum is only 1km form Château-Renard, a very nice gatinaise village with medieval city walls and half-timbered houses to see.
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A cultural legacy
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Honey is the oldest dessert in the world. It is celebrated in rituals and has a part in most religions. The Living Museum of Beekeeping tells the long story of honey in its cultural and agricultural contexts. Six models, one of which fully animated, show beekeeping’s evolution accross centuries, including Egyptian hives on the Nile river’s banks and medieval hive tossing during castle assaults. |
The Museum’s store
An animated model shows you traditional beekeeping techniques
A learning experience
A very educational video was designed and directed by the Museum, to explain the amazing world of bees, the natural pathway from flowers to the jar of honey and the social organization of the hive. |
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Severals cuts of the video are displayed depending the visitors (young children, teenagers, adults, English and German speakers). Educational panels, pictures and models assist the visitors in their discovery. |
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The full visit, including the video, the discovery of the glass hives and the whole museum, the honey extraction and the tasting lasts about 1 hour and 25 minutes. |
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Small extra for our visitors on the web, here is a short time-lapse video done in 2011 during the harvesting season.
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The tasting session
All visits end by a tasting session in our guest room. It’s always a very important moment. There are three different kinds of session adapted to various types of groups:
- Individuals or families: The tasting session is done with all the visitors present at the Museum at the time. It’s all about discovering various types of honey and their specific taste. We will start from the sweetest honey up to the strongest flavors, explaining their different uses along the way. We also have honey cakes and mead for adults. This tasting session is a moment of conviviality and an exchange between the visitors and the beekeeper.
- Children groups (schools, summer camps…): Around the big table, children are served a bit of honey and a piece of honey cake. For some it’s a discovery; for others, a kind of reward.
- Adult groups: The testing session is prepared in advance with plates filled with different kinds of honey on toasts, honey cakes, and our specialty: honey and cheese on a toast. Honey jars and bread are at your disposal, as well as home made cider. At the table, cheerfulness is de rigueur.
Our guestroom before the tasting session
Each type of honey proposed during the tasting session is produced by the Museum. That’s why depending on the season and the year, some variation can happen in the types of honey available.
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The discovery trail
As the bee does, move around safely between flowers and trees along the latest creation of the Museum: the discovery trail.
There you will discover the main plants bees gather nectar from, and your knowledge can be put to the test after the visit.
Six educational panels recap the themes seen during the visit and challenge you through a quizz. They are dedicated to the products of the hive, the communication of bees, pollination and beekeeping tradition.
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A picnic area is there for you to enjoy. An old beekeeper sculpture will show you the way. |
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On the trail, you will find this new presentation of traditional hives:
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Château-Renard
Charming little town of the Gâtinais, with a long history, it is a very nice and restful place for tourists and summer vacationers.
Château-Renard is named after the Count of Sens, who was called Renard, and who built his feodal castle there in 961. This castle was destroyed in 1110 by king Louis the Sixth, rebuilt in 1232, dismantled in 1623 by Louis the Thirteenth. Today, vasts vestiges remain.
Enjoy the view from the walls circling the church.
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Take the opportunity to visit the historical village and its half-timbered houses.
Joan of Arc is believed to have spent a night in this house.
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