What if we set off to discover a deindustrialized wasteland transformed into a pocket of nature at the edge of Saint-Denis (93)? With Lil'Ô, the Halage association invites you to look at the borders of the Seine differently, where an old embankment and industrial site has gradually become a hub of innovative social and ecological activities.
Located on the Île-Saint-Denis, this 3.6-hectare site is open to visitors, notably through monthly organized events, with registration. Led by Halage, Lil'Ô sits within a long-term project planned from 2018 to 2028, focusing on ecology, professional integration, popular education and scientific research.
In other words, it’s not just about seeing a green space in the making: you discover a living laboratory, where soil, plants, water, organic waste and residents together form another way of shaping the city. It’s a bit like the Seine slowly catching its breath again, with patient hands to help it along.
Among the activities and attractions, the site tours help visitors understand the history of this former brownfield, but also the experiments conducted on site. They discuss biodiversity, polluted soils, revegetation, filtering ponds, small forest groves, and micro‑corridors designed to facilitate wildlife movement. The project also aims to restore the soils directly on site, with locally produced compost and ecological engineering practices.
The cultivation of sustainable flowers is also among the venue’s admirable initiatives: Fleurs d'Halage, launched in 2018, now yields roughly 20,000 blooms a year across several sites, while employing about ten staff. In addition, there’s compost production, carried out with Les Alchimistes, turning organic waste into a short supply chain and enriching Lil'Ô’s soils. The site notes around 600 tonnes of organic waste valorized each year and 120 tonnes of compost produced.
What makes Lil'Ô in Saint-Denis particularly compelling is its participatory dimension as well. The venue opens its doors to projects by locals and local collectives, with 1500 m² of outdoor spaces made available to envision new citizen initiatives. It embodies the spirit of a grand-scale workshop: you observe, you learn, you exchange, and you see how a derelict site can become a testing ground for ecological, social, and poetic experimentation.
A great day out for those who love nature walks in Seine-Saint-Denis, ambitious projects, and places that tell a different story of Greater Paris.
The urban gardens and farms of Paris and Île-de-France, with workshops and citywide activities
In Paris and the Île-de-France region, urban farms and community gardens are winning over city dwellers hungry for nature, sharing, and authentic experiences. On the capital’s rooftops, around a repurposed vacant lot, or in a hidden garden tucked between two buildings, these green spaces offer a genuine bucolic interlude. The lineup includes gardening workshops, hands-on learning, family moments, and an introduction to urban farming. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Friday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Saturday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Sunday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Monday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Tuesday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Location
Towage - Lil’Ô
Avenue du Pont d'Epinay
93450 Ile Saint Denis (L')
Prices
Free
Official website
www.halage.fr
Booking
exploreparis.com
The urban gardens and farms of Paris and Île-de-France, with workshops and citywide activities
