Unusual urban exploration - The abandoned apiary

Here's an original exploration, to say the least : a vast abandoned apiary, ultra-lost deep in the wilderness. This kind of documentary is set on a frontier, is it really urbex ? Given that the place is absolutely abandoned and in an advanced state of degradation, it's an undeniable heritage, despised and endangered.

Before the decline of agriculture, apiary was the home to around 500 beehives. The old farmer cut a chestnut trunk, then hollow out the wood. The bees built their hive inside the vacant space. This traditional method, known as the "trunk hive", has all disappeared or near (very few are remaining). Can you imagine cutting such trunk without a chainsaw, then hollowing it out, again by hand ? Can you imagine carrying it through this abundant and chaotic wilderness ? It was undeniably a madman's job, a crushing labor, it was the case throughout the region, so to speak.

I was once told that an old farmer, now deceased, carried two beehives on his back. He had no jacket. He had only closed the holes with wood sticks and put up a vague plastic sheet to enclose the hives. Amazing !

Today, the apiary has more or less 200 hives, all in a very advanced state of decay. Harsh winters, droughts, winds and torrential rains have gradually taken their toll on each hive. They are falling into disrepair ; the roofing slates are collapsing. A renovation project emerged around ten years ago, according to the locals. For reasons of antagonism, we're told, it didn't happen. The condition of the subsidy was to open up this place to tourism. The owner was, and still is, fiercely opposed to any kind of visit.

I have old photos, the name of the former operator and documentation. I can't publish this, as Google's image recognition would trap me, and it would be a parade of visitors. To tell the truth, it's bad enough as it is. I therefore invite you to explore an absolutely unique and astonishing universe. Even if it's not the only trunks apiary, this one has the gift of a special atmosphere of isolation and contemplation.