Burgundy tree hugger

Near this 500-year-old chestnut tree in Burgundy’s Morvan parkland was a set of beehives. The chestnut honey produced by those bees is probably what we tasted at the wonderful farmhouse B&B down the road where we stayed: Ferme de la Chassagne.

Having been stung several times as I attempted to embrace the tree, I did not wish to make inquiries of the bees themselves, and the beekeeper was nowhere to be seen. One day soon we will return to the Morvan, track down the honey-maker, and add him to the listings in our book, Food Wine Burgundy, which is in bookstores and available on-line today. For now, you’ll find several dozen of the region’s top honey-makers listed, as well as the Ferme de la Chassagne (and dozens of other wonderful farmhouse B&Bs). A honey-lover’s job is never done…