Créé par Romane, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
© Shutterstock
This former barracks, located on the right bank of Bordeaux in the Bastille district, has become since its eco-rehabilitation one of the most popular sites both for tourists and for Bordeaux locals themselves.
In fact, if the word Darwin were to come up in a conversation you might have with a local, there's a good chance that the first thing that would come to mind would be Bordeaux's alternative ecosystem, even before thinking of the biologist of the same name who put forward the theory of evolution.
Darwin Bordeaux in numbers
Darwin Bordeaux is:
- About 190 companies,
- The 1st co-working space in France,
- A 6,000 m² space,
- Open 24 hours a day,
- 500,000 annual visitors,
- 1 hangar dedicated to sliding sports (skate, BMX and roller),
- 1 permaculture farm that sells its products on site,
- 1 Emmaüs space of 800 m²,
- 1 bistro-refectory…
A real anthill that doesn't lack ideas and projects that are both economic and ecological.
Ecology at the heart of the project
About thirty companies work on projects whose sole purpose is to expand sustainable development possibilities. This incubator is called the "campement". Young companies have professional support, as well as training for almost 2 years, time to get started.
Street artists
Frescoes adorn the exterior walls, interior walls, hangars... Street art and graffiti are everywhere. You can observe drawings, images that will take you on a journey into the artists' imagination. Take a tour of the Niel barracks, where you'll discover a large number of creations in very different styles.
The general store
Open 7 days a week, this bistro-refectory offers small dishes made on site from local products. The furniture, the decoration, everything has been recovered, because waste is not in fashion at the general store, whether for furniture or food...
Omnivore, flexitarian, vegetarian... Everyone finds what they're looking for, and don't forget to taste the famous local Darwin beer as well as the coffee roasted on site!
To see: the vortex, this footbridge made of scaffolding wood that serves as a bridge between the barracks buildings.
The Niel farm
This collective of volunteers has been experimenting since 2012 with gentle permaculture agriculture, land plowing is not used, fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited. The farm has expanded with poultry farming, sheep, beehives... This urban farm, made up of gardens and vegetable gardens, resells its production: vegetables, aromatic plants, flowers...
Emmaüs
Clothing, furniture, various accessories, second-hand products at low prices. An association that understood very early the importance of recycling, redistribution, sharing and anti-waste.
Les Chantiers de la Garonne
This former boat hangar has been restored to accommodate:
- 1 restaurant/bar,
- 1 rowing and sailing club,
- 1 brewery.
Les chantiers de la garonne restaurant
You'll be served cuisine made from fresh local products from, notably, 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, enjoy its calm by the private beach. The furniture is made of reclaimed wood, the beers are produced on site (Brasserie Lalune), and what could be better, in the beautiful season, than having an aperitif on a lounge chair with your feet in the sand...
Lalune brewery
A brewery in the Darwin spirit, offering 100% organic beers, made from organic cereals from the southwest, with equipment running on 100% renewable electricity...
Beers with or without alcohol, made with hibiscus, honey, ginger and lemon... Blonde, amber, white or brown beer, there's something for everyone!
Les marins de la lune
This club offers a large number of water activities on the Garonne: canoe, kayak, pirogue, surf, stand up paddle and sailing, from the pontoon. Supervised activities that will please both young and old.
The guinguette chez Alriq
The idea has always been to highlight this symbol of typically French folklore by creating a place where you can eat, have an aperitif, dance, create bonds and meet in a festive and joyful atmosphere. Electric music, festive music, world music... Facing the Darwin ecosystem.
Sports activities
The hangar houses a skatepark with ramps, a wooden bowl, a skate house... For beginners and advanced, group or individual lessons are offered.
Other sports found at this location: Roller Derby, an exclusively female contact sport on 4 wheels.
But also bike polo, a mix of hockey and polo, but on bicycle. If these 2 sports have piqued your curiosity, many tournaments and matches are organized throughout the year, 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, parties, exhibitions, screenings, sports competitions, the cultural programming is rich and varied. The Climax Festival highlights environmental and societal issues.
This urban wasteland, abandoned then renovated, presents multiple possibilities. Come discover this atypical place, where energy manufacturing and consumption wants to be seen differently, respecting the environment. A living place, bustling with innovative projects, try the experience by meeting the Darwinians! Guided tours of 1 hour 30 minutes are organized on site.