APIdays - "National Awareness Days for Bees, Environmental Sentinels"

API Days 2021

In December 2005, the Union Nationale de l’Apiculture Française (UNAF, French National Union of Beekeeping) decided to launch the national programme " Bees, Environmental Sentinels" with which the Principality became involved in 2011. Since the signing of this partnership, several hives have been installed on the roof terrace of the Museum of Philately and Coinage in Fontvieille. These hives are monitored by the UNAF, assisted by a team from the Gardens section of the Department of Urban Amenities.

APIdays take place every year in June in association with the programme's partner hives. This is an opportunity for beekeepers to provide information and raise awareness of the crucial role of bees, the importance of protecting them and the development of French beekeeping.

As part of these national days, the Department of Urban Amenities will be offering free activities for all ages on Friday 18 June from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the UNESCO Garden on the Fontvieille Terraces.

The programme will include an exhibition on “the history of bees," a natural wax candle making workshop, observation for better identification of wasps, hornets and bees, discussions with the lead beekeeper, who will demonstrate how to extract honey, as well as games, quizzes and more.