My daughter LOVES bees. She’s not unique though. Most kids are now taught that bees play an important part in the ecosystem and due to human intervention their ecosystem is being destroyed and they are dying, which will impact humans food supply. When I was a kid and I saw a bee I ran away as fast as possible. Now when kids see bees they follow them to find their hive and make sure they have enough flowers in close proximity to get pollen!
Not everyone wants to become a beekeeper and if you aren’t in the place to have a bee hive of your own, but want to find out more about bees or just want to taste some amazing honey and honeymead, then check out Intermiel in Mirabel.
About Intermiel
Intermiel was started when Viviane and Christian Macle settled in Québec from France in 1969. The teachers bought a small farm they transformed into a bee farm over time. Starting with a hundred bee hives in the early 1970’s, the Intermiel family-run farm currently manages 8,00 bee hives, runs a 14 000 tap sugar bush and a 600 apple tree orchard. On top of this they attract more than 100,000 visitors a year, including 15,000 Quebec students on school trips. To this day the farm continues the founders vision to expose the wonderful world of bees to the public and is recognized provincially and across North America for the quality and diversity of its products, as well as for its educational visits.
A vision
In the 80s, they officially launched a line of honey. This visionary couple, fueled by their passion for beekeeping and equipped with their teaching skills, decided to acquaint people with the wonderful world of bees and opened a small honey shop. Over the years, and after many expansions, the Macle family, motivated by the desire to spread their knowledge, continued their growth by remaining open to visitors year-round and diversifying their products. In the 90s, they began to produce honey meads, maple brandy liquors and ice ciders.
90-Minute Tours
One of the best parts of Interniel is that no reservation is required for you and the kids to take the 90 minute guided tour ($12 adults, $10 65+, $6 children 4-11 and 4 and under are free). If you are going in a larger adult group, a reservation is required. One of the coolest things about the Intermiel tour is that kids get a chance to wear the bee keeper out fit and get up close to the bees.
During the tour you will find out about the company, see a working beehive, learn about honey extraction, visit the medaery and distillery and of course honey and maple syrup samples. For the adults you can taste the honey liquor and honey mead which they sell in the shop for $10-30 a bottle.
Once your tour is done check out the playroom where you can stay and observe the bees. Try to see if you can spot the queen! There is also a small petting zoo with goats, rabbits, sheep, cows, donkeys and a pony farm. This is free for kids and $10 per adults. Did I mention the adults get to sample the products too?
Tours operate 7 days a week during the peak bee season (June 24th – October 15th) at 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m..
Honey Meads & alcohols
Having started its production of artisanal beverages in the 90s, the Macle family boasts more than a dozen varieties, for which they have won many awards.
In the springtime Intermiel puts 14,000 taps in it’s maple tree forest which allows them to make exclusive maple brandy liquors. All their products are made in their on-site distillery.
Intermiel’s 600 apple trees provide naturally frozen apples that are pressed to collect juice that is fermented and turns into delicious ice wine.
From the full line of meads, the maple liquors with maple brandy and ice ciders, everything is made solely from the raw materials of the farm and is made on-site. This allows them to control quality and focus on products that highlight originality, balance and delicacy.
When to go?
For us visiting bees is an anytime activity. If you want to get the most for your visit go in the fall when you can also do some apple picking.
Before You Leave
Check out their boutique to pick up some honey, maple syrup or artisanal products. Their boutique is open all year round, 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How To Get There
Intermiel is located at: 10291 Rang de la Fresnière, Mirabel, QC J7N 3M3
You can follow them on facebook or Instagram.
