Bee wall

On the path of a 10km hike (3h45 and 323 m of positive difference in altitude) starting from the cemetery, passing by the Chapelle Sainte-Christine and leading to the Barres de Cuers, are some surprising niches built into a well-preserved dry stone wall.
This 18th century "apié" could contain 25 hives made of wood or cork bark.
These stone buildings protected the bees from temperature variations, bad weather and predators.

Like most apiès, it faces south so that the hives are protected from the Mistral and exposed to light for longer.

This built heritage bears witness to a skillfully studied and perfected know-how over time.

In a Provençal farmer's manual published in Toulon by Henri Laure in 1837, we find advice for beekeepers of the past.
He recommended placing these buildings in an orchard or on the edge of a wood, near which he advised planting rosemary for a better taste result.
The olive tree, on the other hand, seemed to repel bees, while the strawberry tree and the heather gave a bitter taste that was not appreciated.