Building a Community Garden
Paris has been promoting urban greening for over a decade, with more than 180 registered gardens as of August 2025. One of them is “Le Nid de l’Ortolan” (“The Ortolan’s Nest,” named after a small protected bird). Located in the 5th arrondissement, it was co-founded in 2017 by Julien Chamroux, a local business owner. The garden now has about 50 members, all residents of the district, who pay a small annual fee and work in rotating groups to manage plots together.
City officials initially allowed only part of the rooftop to be cultivated, but later granted an additional 60 square meters when they saw the project posed no problems for neighbors. From the start, the only requirement was to use organic farming practices, leaving the community free to manage the space in its own way.
Farming and Sustainability
Instead of monoculture, the plots intentionally mix vegetables and flowers, imitating natural ecosystems. Marigolds, for instance, are planted alongside tomatoes to deter pests, while straw mulch helps control weeds, retain moisture, and support soil life.
Compost is another key feature. The garden maintains nine wooden bins, where food waste turns into soil within two to three months depending on the season. Since France made composting mandatory in 2024, the system has also attracted non-members who bring their scraps. Signs explain what can and cannot be added, ensuring the compost remains healthy.
More Than Just a Garden
For the founder, the project is not only about producing food.
“The quality of the garden always reflects the quality of human relationships. At first, there were many disagreements—this is France, after all—but over time people learned both farming skills and cooperation.”
The harvest is generally good, but the real value lies in reducing waste, cutting CO2 emissions, and strengthening social ties. Looking ahead, Chamroux expects more community gardens to appear across Paris, helping tackle climate change while improving quality of life.
He has also spoken in Japan, where he sees strong environmental efforts but sometimes a tendency to overcomplicate things. His advice: start small. Whether or not his second garden succeeds, his philosophy remains simple—“Do what you can, with what you have.”
Website of the 5th District community garden “Le Nid de l’Ortolan”
