Busy bees produce 40kg of honey at train station

Just over a year ago, SNCF decided to put a couple of beehives on the roof of the new Rennes train station, a bucolic addition to the modern building, famed for its sleek design and revolving coloured lights. 

And the move has paid off, with some 40kg of honey – mostly from the linden trees – having been produced already.  

In a statement, the SNCF said: “These bees forage on a maximum radius of 5km around the site, thus contributing to the pollination of the city of Rennes and the preservation of the environment by transforming pollen into honey.” 

The hives are looked after by local beekeeper Alexandre Michoud, and the honey has the benefit of coming from a city which banned pesticides years ago. The honey, which amounts to about 250 pots, has been shared among railway staff. The next harvest will be distributed to local food aid charities, while the rail firm also hopes to make gingerbread with it. There are now plans to introduce beehives at other stations across Brittany. 

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