Just a few metro stops from Paris, in Seine-Saint-Denis (93), a massive vertical greenhouse is drawing an ever-growing crowd. Nestled in the heart of Romainville, the Romainville Market Garden isn’t like any other urban farm in France. Here, vegetables grow across multiple levels, oyster mushrooms share space with microgreens, and agriculture becomes a true ecological and civic laboratory.
Opened in 2021, this futuristic vertical farm was designed as a hub for sustainable food production and as an open space for the community. The building impresses with its contemporary architecture — dare I say futuristic — blending a agricultural greenhouse, educational spaces, and a convivial café-canteen.
Across almost 2,500 m², tomatoes, aromatic herbs, as well as edible flowers and mushrooms are grown without any artificial light, thanks to innovative low-tech techniques that are environmentally friendly. Fancy a tour there? Great news—it's open to visitors!
The Cité Maraîchère de Romainville unfolds through guided tours and public activities. Visitors can explore the different levels of cultivation, understand the urban agriculture landscape, and discover how this site is testing new ways to produce in the city while promoting employment opportunities and sustainable food.
Throughout the year, cooking workshops, zero-waste awareness initiatives, gardening, composting, and ecological and food-related events bring the site to life in a welcoming, accessible atmosphere for everyone. Families particularly value the educational activities for children, while gastronomy enthusiasts enjoy wandering the weekly market held every Wednesday.
It's also a must to pause at Cheffes, the cafe-canteen on the ground floor. And for good reason: its seasonal, socially conscious cooking puts the spotlight on products grown directly on the farm!
Location
Romainville’s market-garden housing estate
6 Rue Albert Giry
93230 Romainville
Official website
www.lacitemaraichere.com















