Bees are not in a prime position in our world. Experts are reporting that honeybee numbers around the planet are in sharp decline — more than 3 million colonies have died in America alone since 2006. Pesticides are thought to be the main culprit, and scientists are scrambling to find a solution before the insects are wiped out across the planet.

 

But the BBC reports that one city is swiftly turning those numbers around. Paris, City of Light and fashion capital of the world, is becoming the urban honeybee center. The city has more than 400 hives and growing, most of which reside atop apartment buildings, restaurants and in city parks. Some of the city’s most famous restaurants and landmarks now boast their own honey production. Anyone can keep a hive — it just has to be registered with the city veterinarian and be at least 82 feet from a school or hospital.

 

And the city bees are flourishing. Interestingly enough, they are not suffering the same problems as their country cousins. As Guillaume Charlot of the association L'Abeille de Grand Paris (Bee Keepers of Paris) told the BBC, “a metropolitan hive produces 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of honey in an average year, and up to 80 kg in a bumper season. A country bee-keeper is happy if he gets 30.” The situation for French country bees has been as dire as the rest of the world. The BBC reports that since 1995, about 100,000 French hives have been lost. Scientists point to pesticides but also blame the varroa mite and even possible cell phone use for decimating bee populations.

 

 

 

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