Darwin ecosystem, Bordeaux's alternative space

Located on Bordeaux's right bank, in the quartier de la Bastide, this former disused barracks, now eco-rehabilitated, is one of the city's most visited landmarks.

Darwin Bordeaux, what's it all about?

It's impossible to sum up Darwin in one sentence, so unique is this place in Bordeaux. A converted former barracks, Darwin is a urban ecosystem in a class of its own, somewhere between an alternative village and the laboratory of tomorrow. Eco-friendly entrepreneurs, strolling families,street-art enthusiasts, skateboarders, clubbers and Sunday brunchers cross paths without ever getting in each other's way.

If you're not in a hurry, walk there. From the left bank, it's pleasant to cross the stone bridge and walk along the Garonne on the right bank. You'll be rewarded with a beautiful panorama! Alternatively:the BICYCLE, BATO or streetcar AStalingrad stop (after waving to the blue lion, walk along the Garonne on the Quai des Queyries.)

Darwin, mecca of street art and gliding

Between the wood, stone and metal of the buildings, the Darwinian ambience has an air of Berlin where graffiti is king. As soon as you enter, even before you've entered, your eye is drawn to the immense frescoes adorning the outside walls. Inside, images, drawings, tags and graffiti are all visual journeys into the land of street artists' imaginations. Among them, Zarb, from the Full Color collective, and his impressive Great Apes fresco.

A little further on, you can see huge hangars whose walls are covered in street-art, and where you can practice urban sports. The skatepark indoor can accommodate 300 skaters. Needless to say, Darwin is a mecca for skating (skateboarding, BMX and rollerblading) in Bordeaux.

Eating at Darwin: everything's good, organic and local!

Welcome to the General Store, an XXL bistro with a friendly canteen feel, located in the heart of the site. Here, everything is homemade with 92% organic ingredients, often produced on site or just around the corner :

Coffee roasted by L'Alchimiste
Bread and pastries by Babelbread
Organic wine made in the Micro-Winery
Homemade chocolate by Origines

In addition, inside, the bistro-réfectoire welcomes you for lunch or a brunch at weekends. Here, the menu is flexitarian, designed to suit all tastes. And when it comes to waste management, it's zero waste: bio-waste is composted locally with the association Les Détritivores.

Committed shopping: second-hand, culture and crafts

Between designers, producers and merchants, the offer for a shopping spree is as varied as it is committed: just opposite the skatepark, crossing the central alley, you can go bargain hunting in the Bric à Brac Emmaüs. An Ali Baba's cave set up since 2016 in an 800 m² building where everything is second-hand. The shoe brand VEJA has chosen Darwin to launch its new project: a space designed to clean, repair and recycle its old pairs. The surf shop Club Sauvages offers everything you need to make your surfing and skating sessions more responsible: fashion, accessories, boards made by committed brands. Bibliophile travelers, don't forget to push open the door of the nearby librairie La Géolibri.

A year-round program

Like any self-respecting village, Darwin regularly offers animations : festivals, conferences, concerts, parties, exhibitions, screenings, sports competitions... there's always something going on in Darwin: