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Bee Swarm Clings to Bike Near the Louvre Before Safe Rooftop Relocation

The spring swarming highlights Paris’s reliance on quick relocations by urban beekeepers.

Overview

  • The swarm, which formed Saturday afternoon outside the Palais‑RoyalMusée du Louvre metro, clustered under a bicycle saddle and drew crowds.
  • Transport staff closed the station entrance and set a safety cordon as the city sought volunteer beekeepers, who were tied up elsewhere.
  • Urban apiculturist Volkan Tanaci of CityBzz arrived by bike, spent about an hour collecting an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 bees, and placed them in a hive.
  • The colony was moved to a rooftop in the 13th arrondissement where it is reported to be doing well, and no injuries or stings were reported.
  • Experts attributed the event to routine spring swarming, when an overcrowded hive sends a queen-led group that may pause on unusual structures before settling in a new home.