Beekeeping Passion Turned Full-Time Profession: Meet Laurent and Virginie Vallauri

Laurent and Virginie Vallauri, based in Pirajoux, north of Bourg-en-Bresse in Ain, France, have transformed their decade-long enthusiasm for beekeeping into a full-time profession, managing approximately 450 hives.

Describing their venture as a mutual passion, Laurent emphasizes their love for working with bees. Starting with just 20 hives, the couple now strategically places their hives in a dozen local communes, relocating them as needed to produce specific types of honey, such as mountain honey.

The couple's beekeeping activities span from April to September, with a focus on gathering honey while ensuring sufficient reserves are left in the hives for the bees during winter. They primarily work with Caucasian honey bees known for their calm temperament and high honey production.

Laurent and Virginie's honey varieties include acacia, springtime, pine, mixed flowers, linden flower, and sunflower. All preparations and packaging are done by hand on their premises, showcasing a range of products like dehydrated pollen, spiced bread, honey and hazelnut spread, honey caramel, and honey cookies.

In addition to honey, the couple produces royal jelly, valued for its tonic properties, often used by customers during spring. Their commitment to local collaboration extends to partnering with small businesses to create beer, nougat, boiled sweets, soap, essential oils, and more, using their honey.

While they don't operate a shop, Laurent and Virginie sell their products through a market stall and collaborate with local bakeries, groceries, and supermarkets. Their expansion beyond honey production includes selling swarms of bees to other beekeepers.

Despite their busy schedule, the couple remains deeply connected to the outdoors, expressing passion for being in sync with weather patterns and the changing seasons. While they occasionally host guided visits in partnership with the local Tourist Office, their primary focus remains on their love for beekeeping.

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