The consumption of this product also carries therapeutic effects.
In 2025, French beekeepers harvested 25,000 tons of honey, which is almost double the amount from the previous year, 2024.
This significant increase is attributed to very favorable weather this spring in the north, west, east, and center of the country, explains the main beekeepers' union.
However, the Southeast and areas producing lavender honey were particularly hard hit by the summer's abnormal heat. The harvest of lavender honey in Provence was "catastrophic," with some farms facing bankruptcy risks. In Mediterranean areas, the harvest of honey from rosemary, thyme, and heather was also very low.
On a national scale, the harvest of fir and forest honey was "fairly satisfactory," while the harvest of acacia honey was very good, except in the southwest. The harvest of chestnut honey was irregular due to storms washing away the flowers. Finally, the yields of mountain, flower, and linden honey were "very generous" in Brittany, Limousin, Auvergne, in the east and north of the country.
In 2025, France produces almost half of the honey it needs. About 30,000 tons of honey are imported annually.
Provençal honey comes from a diverse plant palette that gives it various flavors. In this part of France, the most common honeys are lavender or lavandin with a delicate aromatic and slightly sour taste; heather with a creamy texture and flavors of caramel and cocoa; rosemary with gentle aromas; chestnut with a strong smell and a tannic taste; or honey from flowers and forests.
Provençal honey can be enjoyed in various ways: on sandwiches, sweetening hot drinks, in gingerbread, sweet and savory recipes, as well as honey or the famous nougat from Sault. It is known for its numerous therapeutic benefits, especially for boosting the immune system, relieving sore throats, healing wounds, or combating insomnia.
In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, there are about 4,500 beekeepers and around 165,000 hives producing about 2,000 tons of honey per year. The latter is celebrated every year at the end of April at the honey festival in Mouans-Sartoux in the Alpes-Maritimes or in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, in Var, every October. And if you want to visit a beehive, head to the living Bee Museum located in Valensole, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence!
