Historical
The origin of our adventure
This adventure began in 1986 with the arrival of our family in Cerdagne, more precisely in Bena. After a few years of work, we settled permanently at Mas Franc which would become the cradle of our childhood.
Our family business has always revolved around hospitality, horseback riding, and market gardening, primarily growing raspberries and fodder for our horses. We therefore grew up close to nature and developed a special curiosity for its biosphere and its delicate balance.
It was only natural that Théodore became interested in bees and their precious honey in 2017 .
The First Steps (2020)
This small beekeeping operation was established in 2020. Initially, the goal was to restore some hives that had been empty for a long time.
In discussion with Maxapi , the beekeeper who will introduce Théodore to the work of bees, he opts for an atypical hive called "The Warré hive" .
There is much to say about the unique features of this beehive design and its inventor, Abbé Warré... we will return to this topic very soon...
From one, two, three hives, the stock will increase to 25 hives by the end of summer 2020.
The first harvest
The first harvest is carried out on 6 hives belonging to Maxapi, because the swarms newly installed this year at Mas were still too weak.
The honey is harvested at the end of July: approximately 60kg of orange honey with a wild thyme and thyme flavor... An incredible discovery!
Unfortunately, beekeeping is a delicate profession, and by the end of winter, only 5 hives had survived . There's a lot to learn to keep this little insect alive.
The Real Beginning (2021)
At the beginning of 2021, Maxapi wished to end his beekeeping activity and pass on his work. His magnificent apiary of about thirty hives arrived at Mas Franc...
This is the true beginning of the adventure... and of the Mas Bees!
An exceptional year
- More than half a ton of organic honey
- 3 harvests, 3 ranges of honey
- Diversification projects: sweets, nougat, hazelnut cream, chestnut cream with honey, gingerbread
- The full range of beehive products: propolis, pollen, waxes, candles
Expansion and development
2022: First transhumance
First transhumance in the Corbières to make rosemary honey .
2023: Livestock Growth
Increase in the number of bees through the purchase of swarms in conventional "Dadant" hives with different varieties of bees:
- Buckfast : very mild and productive
- Carnica : better suited to the mountains
80 beehives at the end of the year and 2 tons of honey harvested !
2024: Official announcement
March 2024 : Official installation as a solidarity contributor.
2025: Launch of the online store
Our customer base is growing, with a huge amount of positive feedback on our products, which motivates us to launch the online store !
Our location
This small farm is located above Enveitg, at an altitude of over 1600 meters , in the heart of the eastern Pyrenees.
The beehives are ecological because the waxes used are completely organic.
The bees of Mas constitute an essential link in preserving the biodiversity of the fauna and flora of the hamlets of Béna, Brangoly and Fanès .