Welcome to the future of farming in Paris – where a number of rooftop farms are already being built, like the one we’re standing on in the Marais. But this massive farm is just a drop in the ocean compared to its new sister facility. When that opens in spring 2020, it will be the world’s largest rooftop farm.
Currently under construction in the southwest of the city, this urban oasis spans approximately 14,000 m2, will also become the largest urban farm in Europe. With plans to grow more than 30 different plant species, the farm will produce around 1,000 kg of fruit and vegetables per day during peak season. Tended by around 20 gardeners, they will also use completely organic methods.
“The goal is to make the farm a globally recognized model for sustainable production,” Pascal Hardy, founder of Agripolis, an urban farming company, said of the project. “We will use quality products, grow in the rhythm of nature, all in the heart of Paris.”
Hardy also said that the farm's fresh products will be a source of food for people living in the southwest of the city, through vegetable packages sold directly, or indirectly through shops, hotels and canteens.
Located on top of a large exhibition complex currently being redeveloped in the 15th arrondissement, the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the farm will also feature a restaurant and bar with a capacity of around 300. Run by Le Perchoir, the rooftop restaurant will offer panoramic views of the capital – and, needless to say, the menu will feature seasonal produce harvested on the farm.
The farm will also offer a range of urban farming services, including educational tours, workshops and special events. Local residents will also be able to rent small plots of land to grow their own vegetables, which will help connect city dwellers to their own food sources.
In addition to not using pesticides or any chemicals, the farm uses a closed water system and has no soil, to minimize the risk of pollution. "It will be a paradise for biodiversity," Hardy asserted.
