Visit the Darwin alternative eco-system in Bordeaux

This former barracks, located on Bordeaux’s right bank in the Bastille district, has become one of the most popular sites for tourists and locals alike since it was eco-rehabilitated.

In fact, if the word Darwin were to come up in a conversation you might have with a local, the chances are that the first thing that would spring to mind would be Bordeaux’s alternative eco-system, even before thinking of the biologist of the same name who put forward the theory of evolution.

Darwin Bordeaux in figures

Darwin Bordeaux is :

• Around 190 companies,
• The 1st co-working space in France,
• A 6,000 m² space,
• Open 24 hours a day,
• 500,000 visitors a year,
• 1 hangar dedicated to board sports (skateboarding, BMX and rollerblading),
• 1 permaculture farm selling its produce on site,
• 1 Emmaus space of 800 m²,
• 1 bistro-refectory…

A veritable anthill with no shortage of ideas and projects that are both economically and ecologically sound.

Ecology at the heart of the project

Around thirty companies are working on projects with the sole aim of expanding the possibilities for sustainable development. This incubator is known as the “camp”. The young companies have access to professional support and training for almost 2 years, just long enough for them to get off the ground.

Street artists

Frescoes adorn exterior and interior walls, hangars… Street art and graffiti are everywhere. You’ll be able to see drawings and images that will take you on a journey into the artists’ imaginations. Take a tour of the Niel barracks, where you’ll discover a huge number of creations in very different styles.

The general shop

Open 7 days a week, this bistro-refectory serves dishes made on the spot from local produce. Everything from the furniture to the decor has been salvaged, because waste is not in at the general shop, whether it’s furniture or food…

Omnivore, flexitarian, vegetarian… there’s something for everyone, and don’t forget to try the famous local Darwin beer and the coffee roasted on site!

Don’t miss the vortex, the wooden scaffolding that bridges the gap between the barracks buildings.

The Niel farm

Since 2012, this group of volunteers has been experimenting with gentle permaculture farming, with no ploughing and no use of fertilisers or pesticides. The farm has been expanded to include hens, sheep and beehives. This urban farm, with its gardens and vegetable patches, sells its produce: vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc.

Emmaüs

Clothes, furniture, accessories of all kinds, second-hand products at low prices. An association that understood very early on the value of recycling, redistribution, sharing and anti-waste.

Les Chantiers de la Garonne

This former boathouse has been refurbished to accommodate :

• 1 restaurant/bar,
• 1 rowing and sailing club,
• 1 brasserie.

Restaurant les chantiers de la garonne

You’ll be served cuisine based on fresh local produce from the Gironde estuary and the Arcachon basin (seafood and oysters), as well as small dishes cooked on site.

You can enjoy a privileged view of the river, and take advantage of the peace and quiet by the private beach. The furniture is made from reclaimed wood, the beers are produced on site (Brasserie Lalune), and what better way to enjoy an aperitif than on a sun lounger with your feet in the sand?

Brasserie Lalune

A brewery in the Darwin spirit, offering 100% organic beers, made with organic cereals from the south-west, with equipment that runs on 100% renewable electricity…

Beers with or without alcohol, with hibiscus, honey, ginger and lemon… Blonde, red, white or brown beer, there’s something for everyone!

Moon sailors

This club offers a wide range of water sports on the Garonne: canoeing, kayaking, dugout canoeing, surfing, stand-up paddling and sailing from the pontoon. Supervised activities to please young and old alike.

The guinguette at Alriq

The idea has always been to highlight this symbol of typically French folklore by creating a place where you can eat, drink, dance, bond and meet up in a festive, happy atmosphere. Electric, festive, world music… Opposite the Darwin ecosystem.

Sports activities

The hangar is home to a skatpark with ramps, a wooden bowl and a skate house. For beginners and advanced skaters, group and individual lessons are available.

Other sports on offer here include Roller Derby, an all-female contact sport on 4 wheels.

But also bike polo, a mixture of hockey and polo, but on a bike. If these 2 sports have piqued your curiosity, numerous tournaments and matches are organised throughout the year, so you might be able to attend one of them.

The Zen moment

L’Alcôve is a world of gentleness: yoga sessions, natural treatments, osteopathy, massage, reflexology, naturopathy… Treatments dedicated to well-being and relaxation.

A festive village

Concerts, evening events, exhibitions, screenings, sports competitions – the cultural programme is rich and varied. The Climax Festival focuses on environmental and social issues.

This urban wasteland, abandoned then renovated, offers a wealth of possibilities. Come and discover this atypical site, where energy production and consumption can be seen in a different light, with respect for the environment. It’s a lively place, teeming with innovative projects, so come and meet the Darwinians! Guided tours lasting 1 hour 30 minutes are available on site.