Darwin, the Niel barracks eco-system

A committed ecological third place in the heart of Bordeaux, a real eco-system

The rehabilitated place of Bordeaux par excellence, the Darwin Ecosystem has occupied more than 22,000 m3 of this former military barracks, located at the level of the Quai des Queyries on the right bank, since 2007.

In order to save Niel’s barracks from demolition, the founder Philippe Barre opened the doors of this atypical place to first install a huge skatepark (Hangar Darwin) in order to attract people to the right bank of the Garonne.

Darwin is a veritable open-air laboratory of ecological and social experimentation , an alternative place where building and development materials, water, organic waste and energy are managed with the greatest respect for the environment. Solidarity, zero waste and anti-waste are the key words of this incredible place where all eco-responsible innovations are allowed! Many activities, each as innovative as the next, are offered in Darwin.

The most surprising of the initiatives is probably the creation of an alternative high school in 2016: it is the “Edgar Morin High School” which wishes to show a new way of educating future generations, in respect of the values promoted by the Darwin Ecosystem.

And if you’re a fan of street art, you can’t miss the works of well-known artists dotted throughout the site. Get out your cameras and smartphones!

Highlights

• The street art space
• The indoor skatepark (Skate, BMX and rollerblading) where young and old can have fun – 5€ per day / 40 € per year
• The “La Belle Saison” restaurants, the bar-brasserie “Les chantiers de la Garonne“, the “Magasin Général“, the bakery-snack bar and the “Chocolaterie Origines”
• Have a drink at the microbrewery and taste the Darwin Beer
• Stock up on regional products at the Epicerie and at the “Supergraal- cave du monde“

Drinking and eating…

• The General Store, the largest organic restaurant in France, bistronomic trend, with products from the short circuit, multiple sports and soft activities (roller derby, bike polo, yoga, tap dancing and other dance classes), supervised outings on the Garonne (canoeing, pirogue, regatta…) with the sailing and rowing club “Les Marins de la lune“
• a micro-brewery (where you can taste Darwin Beer)
• a grocery store
• a bakery (“Babel Bread“)
• ? For the greediest, the “Chocolaterie Origines“: the first organic chocolate factory and the only chocolate factory that can be visited in France! Everything is done on site, from the preparation of the beans to the sale of bars and other by-products. The products are chosen with the greatest respect for agriculture. You can make your own chocolate thanks to the workshops offered by the chocolate factory.

On-site activities

Various renewed activities are constantly offered within this real hive of activity where shows, music, exhibitions, and participatory workshops are numerous. Find out beforehand on the Darwin website.

• an experimental urban agriculture area with permaculture vegetable gardens, beehives and a chicken coop.
• co-working spaces
• a bookshop (“Geolibri“)
• the eco-responsible cooking training at “La source”
• the chocolate making workshops at the “Origines” chocolate factory
• guided tours
• individual and personalized relaxing treatments at “Le Bivouac” Darwin
• participative and solidarity worksites at the “l’Etincelle” workshop to repair or tinker with your bike or skateboard
• navigation on the Garonne and sporting events of the association “Les Marins de la Lune“
• group and private lessons at the Skatepark
• emergency housing (“

What to do in the vicinity of Darwin, La Bastide district?

• Walking around the Bordeaux Botanical Garden
• Take the Bat³– TBM river shuttle to Stalingrad station
• Walk in the Parc aux Angéliques along the Garonne and which offers the most beautiful view of Bordeaux
• See the façade of the Benauge fire station built in the Bauhaus spirit, labeled “Heritage of the 20th century
• Visit La Maison Cantonale, a fine example of Art Nouveau architecture.

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