Honey and jam producers Central

It was in 1900 that Alexandre Robin installed his sixty baskets of bees in Chézelles. On the dozen hectares of land that he owns, his son René will develop a real beekeeping operation. Today, after four generations of Robins, Chézelles produces honey, pollen, royal jelly, sweets and even cosmetics. The company also markets propolis. A domain of considerable importance, to visit absolutely.

Honey is not only a matter of greed: its multiple health benefits have been proven. This brand, present throughout France, offers honey in all kinds of sauces: ampoules, jellies, capsules, syrups, tablets, lotions, oils, cereals, teas, etc. And of course, we also taste it in its raw and delicious form, with different varieties depending on what the bees have gathered (lime, acacia or eucalyptus are our favorites). A place to take care of oneself and where one buzzes with pleasure!

With its 15 varieties of honey, here are the grands crus: Acacia, Chestnut, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Coriander, Lavender, Lime, Carrot, Forêt de Sologne. Polyfloraux come from the Cher, Sancerrois and Sologne forests, extracted from the 1,000 beehives scattered across the Loire Valley, Sologne and Sancerrois regions. They proliferate in a controlled, unadulterated natural environment. In the boutique of this beekeeping farm, soon to celebrate its 35th anniversary, you'll find all the enticing aromas. We also offer embossed beeswax candles. Summer is a great time to visit!

Since 2008, Catherine has been making jams where respect for design takes precedence over quick profits. With no preservatives or artificial additives, she dares to create rare combinations, her own creations - according to her inspiration - cooked in copper cauldrons. So, pear velouté with walnuts, Andalusian lemons, salted butter caramel, strawberries, blueberries, guerdille... will delight your taste buds. Charming, rich, made-to-measure!

At the Laleuf farm, we take care of nature, but especially the bees. Pascal and Sandra, beekeepers, harvest thanks to a cold extraction principle a precious honey 100% natural. In the store on site, you can discover seasonal honeys (spring, wild flowers, buckwheat...), as well as different products: chutneys, jams, "tisamiels", vinegars, gingerbread, and candles. Everything is produced with honey and by their care!

This is a visit not to be missed - especially if snack time is near... Nicole, a gourmet farmer, grows vegetables and fruits in an ecological way, which she then transforms into compotilles, confits, vinegars, jellies, sweets, dried herbs, pesto berrichon, syrups, condiments, apple juice and fresh soups. Nicole's breakfast is definitely worth a stop: she makes pancakes that she serves with dandelion syrup!

Patrick Valencier is a professional beekeeper. He has no less than 300 to 400 hives spread throughout the region and even in the Indre, in private homes and farmers. He grows four to five different kinds of honey, depending on the season: spring flowers in May, acacia in June, chestnut and all flowers in July, sunflower in August. At the farm, he sells the fruit of his harvest: jars of honey, as well as gingerbread, pollen and royal jelly.

Eric Degorce has been producing honey since 1990. Located in the Brenne Natural Park. First of all seasonal honeys (creamier and paler in spring, liquid, darker and stronger in early summer, more yellow and creamy at the end of summer). He makes gingerbread, candies, honey chocolates (at Easter and Christmas only). He also makes syrups, vinegar, soaps, mead... You can visit him by appointment and you can also find his products in the shops and at the Maison des Produits Locaux in Pouligny-Saint-Pierre.

Paul Desnoyers' wonderful apiaries produce organic honey. There is, of course, creamy, melting flower honey, amber-coloured acacia honey with a very fine flavour, and stronger mountain honey. Paul Desnoyers also makes mead and gingerbread. The honey is stored in small jars (500 g) or larger ones (1 kg). The honeys can be found in many local shops, as well as in the department's organic shops.

La Ruche Martin has been producing honey and related products for about thirty years. It is the third generation of beekeepers who are active around the hives today. This company sells not only honey, royal jelly, candies and other by-products, but also all the equipment to become a beekeeper. You will find on the site or in the shop hives, beehives, frames, extractors, pots, labels, beekeeping outfits... Eight varieties of honey are available (spring, forest, acacia, lavender, wild flowers...).

Thierry Pornet is based in Mers-sur-Indre, in the bocage of the Vallée Noire. This beekeeper harvests and jars several varieties of honey from his hives: sweet and melting spring honey, stronger, amber-coloured summer honey, and wild flowers. He also sells flower pollen, honey candies, candles... Its products are available at many local retailers, including producer stores.