France is a nation rich in culture, art, history and architecture. One only has to think of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, but not many people know that France and specifically Paris are also active in protecting the earth’s biodiversity!
The protection of the land and mankind, as we know, depends directly on the work of bees. These insects are disappearing due to the massive use of pesticides and the eradication by farmers of flowers useful for pollination and the work of bees, so it is our job to protect them as much as possible.
With regard to the protection of biodiversity, and bees in particular, France has taken action on several fronts. The most important are two:
- the first is to prohibit the use of pesticides throughout the city, both in private homes and in public parks ;
- the second front that is gaining momentum is the placing of several beehives in various locations in Paris: in the most important public parks such as the Tuileries Gardens, but also in the city’s most important monuments such as the Musée d’Orsay, the École Militaire, the Opera Garnier and Notre-Dame cathedral. In fact, there are no fewer than 200,000 bees in the roof of the latter!
Beehives in the Tuileries gardens, near the Louvre museum
In Paris, several private individuals are also embracing the idea of putting beehives in their businesses. Examples of this are several important restaurants and hotels that have placed several beehives on their roofs, which accommodate a large number of bees and also conduct educational visits with the aim of raising awareness among the Parisian population on the preservation of biodiversity and bee repopulation.
But the most important discovery is that the urban environment is optimal for bee life, as opposed to the countryside where a lot of pesticides are used. In fact, pesticides have been banned in the city and the presence of many natural parks with lots of fragrant flowers make Paris a suitable environment for bees!