La Ferme des Abeilles

Elodie and Nicolas are now both associated beekeepers on the Les Ruchers de l'Ibie farm.
The beekeeping operation was established in 2010, initially in the commune of Saint Alban Auriolles by Elodie under the name "Les Ruchers de Bizac", with approximately 200 hives. Elodie's passion for bees comes from her father, who always kept about ten hives of local bees as a hobby.
In 2014, Nicolas joined the farm, still located in Saint Alban Auriolles, at the place called Bizac, as a partner, with 200 additional hives.
With time and energy, they built their honey house and developed the foundations of their operation.
In 2017, Elodie and Nicolas moved with their honey house to a neighboring town, Lagorce, where they found at the Domaine de Gourguet a place to live and work that was even more suited to their profession as beekeepers.
After much development work, the honey house is now located in the Ibie Valley. Today the beekeeping farm is called Ruchers de l'Ibie.
Quickly, after the installation in the Gourguet farmhouse in Lagorce, the objective was to make known and discover the new beekeeping facilities.
In 2022, Elodie and Nicolas created the Ferme des Abeilles which will make it possible to organize cultural activities (beekeeping baptism, visit and discovery of the honey house and the beekeeping profession), alongside the existing operation.
Today, culture has been invited to the Ferme des Abeilles and allows the general public to discover modern beekeeping. Elodie, Nicolas and their team are setting up and developing a cultural site with a fun and authentic approach, by opening the doors of a working farm, while being gourmet with a tasting of the farm's products.

The two companies, Ruchers de l'Ibie and Ferme des Abeilles, are closely linked and are based on the same values: sustainable agriculture and responsible tourism rooted in Ardèche, their production is exclusively local and limited to the department.
Since 2012, the Ardèche honeys produced by Elodie and Nicolas have carried the "Goutez l'Ardèche" label, a collective brand uniting producers, artisans, and restaurateurs committed to promoting their region. This brand is a local benchmark for consumers seeking high-quality Ardèche products.
The farm is also a member of the Bienvenue à la Ferme network, a brand supported by the Chambers of Agriculture. This label guarantees a personalized, high-quality welcome in a well-maintained environment, including a tour of the farm.

Driven by the desire to share their profession and the fascinating world of bees, as well as their essential role in the environment.
Elodie and Nicolas created the Bee Farm within the beekeeping business. They have made it a true cultural and educational site dedicated to the world of bees, designed for all audiences: amateur or professional beekeepers, families, schools, colleges, high schools, leisure centers, retirement homes, nursing homes, specialized structures, associations, etc.

The estate grouping the two structures consists of an imposing stone farmhouse with several buildings, interior courtyards and outdoor spaces planted with trees, most of which are centuries old. The whole is immersed in nature near the Gorges de l'Ardèche nature reserve.
“Highlighting the history of life and work in this farmhouse in bygone days clearly connects us to the Silkworm Museum in our town.” The “I Love Lagorce” Pass was created in 2024, in partnership with this Museum and with Melvita, which is now a globally recognized cosmetics brand that originated from beehive products.
Today, in addition to Elodie and Nicolas, there is a team of 4 people, who live in the town of Lagorce and nearby, and who help with the development and smooth running of all the farm's activities.

In 2025, specific activities on beeswax and around a glass hive will be organized on specific days and times.
A stabilized parking lot has been created to better accommodate visitors and allow groups to come by coach. This will also allow us to establish partnerships with schools and offer our activities within different organizations interested in agritourism.

🌿 Discover the Photo Trail – An artistic stroll in the heart of nature!

Dear visitors to the Ferme des Abeilles, extend your experience with an unforgettable walk amidst the preserved landscapes of the Ardèche.

The Photo Trail, conceived by the association Des Sentiers & des Images, invites you to discover nature in a new way: at every step, marvel at the encounter between art and wild beauty. Contemporary photographs, displayed outdoors, blend into the fields, hills, and vineyards, offering a journey that is both cultural and contemplative.

✨ Why you'll love it

Accessible to all: easy route, suitable for families and nature lovers.

An open-air gallery: each image tells a story and enhances the local landscape.

The perfect complement to your visit: after meeting our bees and tasting our products, treat yourself to a moment of relaxation and escape.

⏱️ Practical information

Distance: about 2 km

Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your pace

Free and open access: open all year round

✨ A nature and culture duo not to be missed!
Combine your visit to the Bee Farm with an artistic stroll that will delight young and old alike. A unique experience where flavors and beauty meet, and where art blends into the Ardèche landscapes.