By Roxanne Robinson

When it comes to the French bee population, Trudon refuses to mind its own beeswax. The French candlemaker — who once held a royal warrant to supply candles to kings and churches — uses its resources to help replenish this ancient insect population. Here’s what you need to know about this alluring candle brand and its patrimony to bees.

1. The Wax: La cire is French for wax, hence the name Cire Trudon. Trudon’s candles were once made from 100 percent beeswax, but the company has since stopped due to the explotation of bees for industrial use. Today, Trudon’s wax formulas are specifically developed for an exceptional olfactory experience and even burn.

2. The Historians: Trudon’s bust collection — including Napoléon Bonaparte, King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette — reimagines works of art in wax, with exclusive permission granted by the French National Museum Council.

3. The Region: The Trudon factory is in the Perche Nature Park, which jigsaws in and around Mortagne-au-Perche in Normandy, France. Located on the main grounds of the nature park is the Manor of Courboyer, a 15th-century architectural treasure.

4. The Orne Dark Bee:  In partnership with the Orne Dark Bee Conservatory in Perche Nature Park, Trudon is working to protect the genetic pool of the local dark bee population. This hearty European bee has survived 5000 years due to superior adaptability skills.

5. The Company Motto: The Trudon candle label features the company’s original 1643 motto: Deo regique laborant or ‘They (the bees) work for God and the King.’ Today, Trudon flips this motto by supporting the dark bee conservation effort. At the conservatory, each wooden hive is branded with the company crest.