Following this publication, the authorities of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident in a third country, may lodge, in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) an opposition with the Commission within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Miel des Landes’

EU No: PGI/FR/03002 – 22.9.2023

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s)

‘Miel des Landes’

2.   Member State or Third Country

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.4 – Other products of animal origin (eggs, honey, various dairy products except butter, etc.)

Combined Nomenclature code

—	04 – DAIRY PRODUCE; BIRDS’ EGGS; NATURAL HONEY; EDIBLE PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INCLUDED 0409 – Natural honey

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) refers

‘Miel des Landes’ is:

1.

Monofloral: — acacia / black locust honey (Robinia pseudoacacia); — strawberry tree honey (Arbustus unedo); — alder buckthorn honey (Rhamnus frangula); — bell heather honey (Erica cinerea); — heather honey (Calluna vulgaris); — chestnut honey (Castanea sativa).

2.

Polyfloral, produced from a range of floral species characteristic of the geographical area, with no single floral variety predominating. It may contain honeydew. The honey may be liquid, creamy or set. The structure of the honey is homogeneous. The maximum HMF content is 12 mg/kg for all honeys up to the end of the calendar year of production. Beyond this, the maximum content is 25 mg/kg for all honeys and 35 mg/kg for bell heather honey. The maximum water content is: — 18,5 % for all honeys; — 21 % for heather honey.

Organoleptic characteristics

Sensory description of the monofloral honeys:

Honey	Colour	Aroma	Flavour
Acacia	Colourless to very light yellow	Sweet, subtle, light and floral	Delicate and smooth with notes of white flowers
Strawberry tree	Light amber, beige to amber	Herbaceous, fresh, with phenolic notes (coffee grounds, dark cocoa)	Very bitter taste, similar to the aroma but more pronounced
Alder buckthorn	Light brown to reddish-brown	Expressive, balanced mixture of ripe fruit, animal and balsamic notes	Intense, rich and complex aromas, spicy with warm notes of caramel
Bell heather	Light amber to dark brown	Dried flowers, leather and liquorice	Complex, woody and almond aromas, with slight bitterness
Heather	Brown-red, dark, reddish sheen	Very intense and long-lasting, woody and animal notes	Intense and very long-lasting aromas, warm and spicy notes, slight bitterness
Chestnut	Dark brown to reddish brown	Strong and penetrating, woody mix, caramel and leather notes	Pronounced bitterness, heightened aromas, tannic, astringent, very long-lasting

Sensory description of the polyfloral honeys:

Polyfloral honeys have varying and complex organoleptic characteristics which depend on the nature of the flowers from which the bees gathered pollen and the harvesting period.

At the start of the season, acacia and blackberry flowers give the polyfloral honeys sweetness and fruity notes. During the summer, the chestnut trees provide warm, woody flavours and a slight bitterness, resulting in more expressive honeys. In the same season, flowering alder buckthorn and bell heather give the product a creamy appearance along with notes of fruit, dry flowers and caramel. Finally, the presence of honeydew brings more woody and spicy aromas against a background of dried fruit.

Melissopalynological characteristics

The following 10 pollens are markers of the geographical area of the PGI: strawberry tree, alder buckthorn, bell heather, heather, chestnut, broom, ivy, black locust, blackberry and willow. ‘Miel des Landes’ must contain at least one of these pollens as predominant or secondary pollen.

Some acacia honeys may not contain predominant or secondary pollens. In such cases, at least one of the marker pollens must be present as an isolated pollen.

Pollen from the flowers of arable nectariferous crops is allowed only in the form of isolated pollens (less than 15 % of the pollen spectrum).

The table below shows the pollens most frequently found. These pollens are present in different combinations and proportions.

Honey	Dominant pollens (> 45 %)	Secondary pollens (15 %-45 %)
Acacia		Black locust, cruciferous plants
Strawberry tree	Strawberry tree, broom	Strawberry tree, ivy, broom-type plants
Alder buckthorn	Alder buckthorn, chestnut, buckthorns	Alder buckthorn, chestnut, broom-type plants
Bell heather	Alder buckthorn, bell heather, chestnut	Chestnut, alder buckthorn, bell heather, cruciferous plants, buckthorns, white clover
Heather	Bell heather, heather, chestnut, broom-type plants	Bell heather, heather, chestnut, ivy, broom-type plants
Chestnut	Chestnut

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

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3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

‘Miel des Landes’ is produced exclusively from honey collected from apiaries located in the defined geographical area. The stages of extraction, storage and packaging can occur outside of the geographical area.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

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3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The label must bear the following particulars: the name and address of the inspection body, preceded by the words ‘certified by’.

Reference may be made to a particular floral designation if the honey comes predominantly from the floral species indicated and has the relevant organoleptic, physico-chemical and pollen characteristics.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of the ‘Miel des Landes’ PGI corresponds to the department of Landes in its entirety and to the territory of the following municipalities on the basis of the Official Geographic Code (COG):

Gironde (33):

Andernos-les-Bains, Arbanats, Arcachon, Arcins, Arès, Arsac, Aubiac, Audenge, Auros, Avensan, Ayguemorte-les-Graves, Balizac, (Le)Barp, Barsac, Bazas, Beautiran, Bégadan, Belin-Béliet, Bernos-Beaulac, Berthez, Biganos, Birac, Blaignan, Blanquefort, Bommes, Bourideys, Brach, Brannens, (La)Brède, Brouqueyran, Bruges, Budos, Cabanac-et-Villagrains, Cadaujac, Canéjan, Cantenac, Captieux, Carcans, Castelnau-de-Médoc, Castres-Gironde, Cauvignac, Cazalis, Cazats, Cérons, Cestas, Cissac-Médoc, Civrac-en-Médoc, Coimères, Couquèques, Cours-les-Bains, Cudos, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Escaudes, Eysines, Fargues, Gaillan-en-Médoc, Gajac, Gans, Giscos, Goualade, Gradignan, Grayan-et-l'Hôpital, Grignols, Guillos, Gujan-Mestras, (Le) Haillan, Hostens, Hourtin, Illats, Isle-Saint-Georges, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Labarde, Labescau, Lacanau, Lados, Lamarque, Landiras, Langon, Lanton, Lartigue, Lavazan, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Léogeats, Léognan, Lerm-et-Musset, Lesparre-Médoc, Lignan-de-Bazas, Listrac-Médoc, Louchats, Lucmau, Ludon-Médoc, Lugos, Macau, Marcheprime, Margaux-Cantenac, Marimbault, Marions, Martignas-sur-Jalle, Martillac, Masseilles, Mazères, Mérignac, Mios, Moulis-en-Médoc, Naujac-sur-Mer, (Le) Nizan, Noaillan, Ordonnac, Origne, Parempuyre, Pauillac, Pessac, (Le) Pian-Médoc, Podensac, Pompéjac, (Le) Porge, Portets, Préchac, Preignac, Prignac-en-Médoc, Pujols-sur-Ciron, Queyrac, Roaillan, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Christoly-Médoc, Saint-Côme, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Germain-d'Esteuil, Sainte-Hélène, Saint-Jean-d'Illac, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Saint-Laurent-Médoc, Saint-Léger-de-Balson, Saint-Magne, Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Michel-de-Castelnau, Saint-Michel-de-Rieufret, Saint-Morillon, Saint-Sauveur,Saint-Selve, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, Saint-Symphorien, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, Salaunes, Salles, Saucats, Saumos, Sauternes, Sauviac, Sendets, Sigalens, Sillas, Soulac-sur-Mer, Soussans, (Le) Taillan-Médoc, Talais, Talence, (Le) Teich, (Le) Temple, (La) Teste-de-Buch, Toulenne, (Le) Tuzan, Uzeste, Valeyrac, Vendays-Montalivet, Vensac, (Le) Verdon-sur-Mer, Vertheuil, Villandraut, Villenave-d'Ornon, Virelade.

Lot-et-Garonne (47):

Allons, Ambrus, Antagnac, Anzex, Barbaste, Beauziac, Boussès, Casteljaloux, Caubeyres, Damazan, Durance, Fargues-sur-Ourbise, Houeillès, Labastide-Castel-Amouroux, Lavardac, Leyritz-Moncassin, Mézin, Mongaillard, Pindères, Pompiey, Pompogne, Poudenas, Poussignac, Réaup-Lisse, (La) Réunion, Saint-Léon, Saint-Martin-Curton, Saint-Pé-Saint-Simon, Saint-Pierre-de-Buzet, Sainte-Maure-de-Peyriac, Sauméjan, Sos, Villefranche-du-Queyran, Xaintrailles.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The link between ‘Miel des Landes’ and its geographical area is based on the product’s characteristics, its link with natural and human factors, and its reputation. Its specificity lies in the very widespread production of a broad range of honeys, resulting from a succession of nectar flows, that make the most of the area’s uncultivated floral resources.

It has unique organoleptic characteristics associated with a level of preservation and freshness that underpin its reputation. These characteristics are an expression of the area, where the richness of the specific melliferous flora, adapted to the acidity of the sandy soil, combines with the expertise of beekeepers acquired and passed on over many years.

The geographical area is located on the Landes sedimentary plateau, which is characterised by sandy soil. It forms a large triangle that runs along the Atlantic coast from the south of the department of Landes to the Pointe de Grave in Gironde, partly bordered by the Garonne to the north.

The temperate oceanic climate provides mild temperatures, a small temperature range with mild winters and relatively abundant rainfall, well distributed throughout the year, despite less frequent rainfall in summer.

In terms of geology, soil science and morphology, to the north of the Adour river the geographical area has a very distinct identity, primarily determined by its geological history. Much of this area comprises sandy, quaternary-era deposits shaped by the wind. These unique landscapes are characterised by predominantly sandy soils with exceptional acidity (pH ranging from 4,5 to 5,5). The flat or low sectors often have an impermeable soil layer known as an ‘alios’, which impedes water drainage. By contrast, in high and sloping areas the sand allows good drainage owing to its porosity. To the south of the Adour river, the geology of the Landes municipalities is of detrital origin, resulting from erosion of the Pyrenees and producing a hilly landscape. The varied soils, landscape and human use result in a wide variety of biotopes.

The vegetation is adapted to the area’s climate and soil characteristics. In the sandy area to the north of the Adour river, these contrasting characteristics have led to the development of very specific flora that have been able to adapt to these varying water conditions and the acidity of the soil. The patchwork of soils and topoclimates is matched by a patchwork of flower varieties coexisting primarily with a species of tree, the maritime pine, that is grown in most of the region. Plants with high melliferous potential such as alder buckthorn are found on wet facies, with bell heather and heather on dry soils. The diversity of plant communities also enables bees to benefit from a source of pollen useful for colony development. At the western edge of the area, the coastal region with its dunes and particular climate enables growth of a shrub prized by bees – the strawberry tree – and a specific floral range.

To the south of the Adour river, on the detrital slopes, the varied environments favour the development of many species of beekeeping interest, mainly broad-leaved trees (chestnut, black locust, alder, willow, oak) and species of undergrowth such as blackberry.

Beekeepers have very good knowledge of this specific natural environment. They choose the best locations, whether for fixed or transhumant apiaries, in accordance with the desired types of honey. Over the course of the season and depending on weather conditions, they can either move their colonies from site to site, or choose a fixed location that enables several nectar flows in succession. Acquired and passed on over time, precise knowledge of this unique environment makes it possible to draw out the richness of the Landes’ melliferous flora through a wide range of honeys.

The staggered flowering period and meteorological gradients within the area require specific stock management. Colonies in apiaries to the south of the Adour can get going earlier thanks to willows, acacia and other broad-leaved trees. Conversely, apiaries located on dry heathlands at the end of the season gives the beekeeper the opportunity to maintain productive stock very late. In forest areas, forestry practices also shape the environment. Cutting, clearing or thinning out changes the flora of the undergrowth. Forest parcels are therefore not fixed, requiring beekeepers to adjust the location of their apiaries regularly.

The importance of expertise in honey production also plays a key role in working with honey. A perfect illustration of this is the extraction of heather honey, whose unique gelatinous texture (thixotropy) makes extraction possible only with specific equipment, i.e. a honey loosener. The high moisture content of this honey also necessitates particular vigilance at the time of storage and packaging.

‘Miel des Landes’ is produced by bees from the nectar and honeydew they gather from the area’s wild flora. Its specificity is linked to physico-chemical quality indicators and remarkable melissopalynological and sensory characteristics:

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low hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, a sign of freshness and care of the product during honey extraction and packaging. It is characterised by HMF levels of at most 12 mg/kg for all honeys up to the end of the calendar year of production. After the end of the calendar year of production, the authorised HMF levels are 25 mg/kg for all honeys except for bell heather honey, for which the maximum authorised level is 35 mg/kg;

—	a low moisture content, to encourage proper preservation during storage and marketing. All the honeys have a moisture content of 18,5 % or less, with the exception of heather honey, which may reach a moisture content of 21 %;

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10 marker pollens from the flower varieties specific to the area, with at least one of these in a predominant or secondary proportion, distinguishing it from other honeys produced in other geographical areas. Some acacia honeys may not contain pollen markers in these proportions. In such cases, at least one of them must be present in an isolated pollen proportion;

—	pollens of cultivated nectariferous species are permitted only as isolated pollens, since ‘Miel des Landes’ is produced from the wild flora of the area.

The succession of nectar flows from spring to early winter explains the richness of the honeys obtained. The range of honeys has a variety of intensities and aromatic complexity. Springtime honeys are dominated by sweet, smooth, floral and fruity aromas, often short-lasting, such as acacia and alder buckthorn honeys, and polyfloral honeys characterised by blackberry or honeydew. With the arrival of chestnut honey in June, this dynamic gives way to more assertive honeys. Summer and end-of-season honeys are characterised by powerful aromas of wood, dried flowers and animals, as in bell heather and heather honeys, up to the arrival of strawberry tree honey with a particularly lingering and marked bitterness.

The long-standing reputation of ‘Miel des Landes’ has endured to this day, as evidenced by the fact that, in this region where gastronomy plays an essential role, both traditional and contemporary cuisine make the most of ‘Miel des Landes’: La Nouvelle République, 2018 – ‘Recipe: gingerbread with Miel des Landes’. Reference is made to this honey in the literature: Le Miel pour les nuls, First Editions, 2024 – ‘the consumer will prefer a heather honey from the Landes region to a heather honey from France’. It is frequently cited in the media, which set out its characteristics and underline its qualities: Le miel et les abeilles, Sud-Ouest, 2020 – ‘Extraction of heather honey from the Landes region, the last major nectar flow of the season’; Institut du Goût de Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Sentinelle du goût, 2022 – ‘Heather honey from the Landes region, harvested from dry heathland, with woody notes and an almond flavour’; France Bleu, 2025 – ‘Flower honey and heather honey from the Landes region [acacia honey from the Landes region] show exceptional know-how’; Radio France, 2025 – ‘What distinguishes honeys from the Landes region is above all the diversity and uniqueness of their flora. The strawberry tree, with its marked bitterness and notes of coffee and liquorice, or the bell heather, with its almond aroma, are among the specific features of this region.’ Awards are also very regularly given to producers in the area at the Saveurs Nouvelle-Aquitaine competition and at national level; for example, bronze and silver medals were awarded in 2018, 2019 and 2020 at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris, and a hat-trick of golds at the Concours des Miels de France for acacia, flower and heather honeys from the Landes region in 2024.

Natural factors such as the characteristic soil profile, the oceanic climate and the patchwork landscape are conducive to the development of specific wild flora of apiarian interest. They foster a succession of flowerings throughout the year, generating a series of nectar flows distributed over time and space. This enables production of a wide range of honeys, from the most delicate to the strongest. The melliferous flora, adapted to the soil and climate conditions and to the forestry activity, makes it possible to produce ‘Miel des Landes’, characterised by the presence of pollen markers of the geographical area and by the absence of pollen from nectariferous crops in predominant or secondary proportions.

The producers’ expertise is reflected in their management of colonies adapted to the specific characteristics of the area, and in their way of working with the honey, controlling the water content to ensure its preservation despite the high humidity linked to the oceanic climate.

Reference to publication of the specification

https://extranet.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/CDC-IGP-Miel-des-Landes-260126.pdf

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(1)  Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (OJ L, 2024/1143, 23.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1143/oj).