La Recyclerie Paris: An Eco-Friendly Urban Oasis on the Historic Petite Ceinture

Nestled in the vibrant 18th arrondissement of Paris, a stone’s throw from the bustling Paris flea market, La Recyclerie stands as a testament to conscious living. This extraordinary venue is a passionate ode to collaboration, environmental stewardship, sustainability, the beauty of seasonal food, and the innovation of urban farming. More than just a restaurant or a café, La Recyclerie is an educational and communal space, artfully designed to raise awareness about eco-responsibility in a manner that is both engaging and profoundly positive. It’s a place where ecological principles seamlessly blend with everyday life, inviting visitors to experience a greener, more connected way of being in the heart of the French capital.

Discover La Recyclerie In Motion

To truly grasp the enchanting atmosphere and innovative spirit of La Recyclerie, sometimes seeing is believing. We invite you to take a visual journey through this remarkable space. The following video offers an exclusive inside tour, showcasing the unique blend of eco-conscious design, vibrant community interaction, and the sheer fabulousness that defines La Recyclerie. From its inviting entrance to its bustling communal areas and lush outdoor spaces, you’ll get a firsthand look at what makes this Parisian gem so special.

Its Unique Location: The Petite Ceinture

La Recyclerie is situated in a truly distinctive setting within the 18th arrondissement: the old Petite Ceinture. This former railway line, once circling the outer limits of Paris, has been thoughtfully repurposed into a vibrant communal and green space. While the 18th arrondissement is perhaps best known for the artistic charm of Montmartre, La Recyclerie offers a different, more laid-back and authentic Parisian experience, drawing you slightly off the typical tourist path.

The establishment’s location is also conveniently close to the world-renowned Paris Flea Market, though technically the market itself lies just across the street in Saint-Ouen, outside the official Paris city limits. This proximity makes La Recyclerie an ideal stop for those exploring the market, offering a refreshing break and a taste of local, sustainable culture after a morning of antique hunting.

The Petite Ceinture itself is a fascinating piece of Parisian history. Abandoned as a railway since 1934, this unique urban strip has been gradually reclaimed by nature. Over the decades, it has blossomed into an ecological corridor, becoming home to an impressive array of biodiversity – more than 200 species of plants and 70 animal species thrive here. This natural resurgence provides a lush, tranquil backdrop to La Recyclerie, offering a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It’s a living example of how urban spaces can be rewilded and repurposed for the benefit of both people and wildlife, making it a perfect setting for a venue dedicated to sustainability.

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Core Values: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Beyond

At the heart of La Recyclerie’s philosophy lies the iconic mantra of the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. However, this establishment takes these principles far beyond mere words, embedding them into every aspect of its operation and culture. It’s a living laboratory for sustainable practices, constantly demonstrating how a community can thrive while minimizing its environmental footprint.

• Reduce: La Recyclerie actively strives to reduce waste at its source. This means careful sourcing of ingredients for the restaurant, prioritizing local and seasonal produce to cut down on transportation and packaging. Energy consumption is meticulously managed, and water usage is minimized through smart practices within the venue and the urban farm.
• Reuse: Perhaps the most visible aspect of La Recyclerie’s commitment to sustainability is its ingenious approach to reuse. The very building itself is a testament to repurposing – an old railway station transformed. Inside, furniture, decor, and countless details are salvaged, upcycled, and given new life, creating a wonderfully eclectic and warm atmosphere. From vintage mannequins to antique mailboxes and charming birdcages, every object tells a story and contributes to the venue’s unique character. Workshops are often held teaching visitors how to repair items instead of replacing them, fostering a culture of longevity.
• Recycle: For materials that cannot be reduced or reused, robust recycling programs are in place. Waste sorting is paramount, ensuring that everything from glass bottles to cardboard is properly processed. Beyond conventional recycling, La Recyclerie encourages “upcycling” – transforming waste materials into new products of higher value, often showcased through artistic installations and collaborative projects.

Beyond these three Rs, the spirit of “do it yourself” (DIY) and collaborative community action are guiding values that permeate the entire concept of La Recyclerie. It’s a place where visitors are encouraged to participate, learn, and engage with sustainable practices firsthand. This ethos fosters a sense of collective responsibility and empowerment, turning individual actions into a powerful community movement for environmental good.

Embracing Local Economy with La Pêche

Adding another layer to its commitment to community and sustainability, La Recyclerie actively supports and accepts payment in La Pêche, a local currency designed to bolster associations and local businesses in and around Paris. This initiative perfectly aligns with La Recyclerie’s ethos of fostering a circular economy and empowering local communities.

The concept behind La Pêche is simple yet powerful: one Pêche is equivalent to one Euro. However, the true magic happens when you exchange your Euros for Pêches. A small 3 percent deduction is automatically made from your exchange, which is then donated to a non-profit association of your choice from a curated list of approved organizations. This list rigorously excludes any political or religious entities, ensuring that the donations genuinely support social and environmental causes within the community. By choosing to pay with La Pêche, visitors directly contribute to local economic vitality and social good, transforming a simple transaction into an act of community support. It’s an innovative way to keep money circulating within the local economy and to support grassroots initiatives, making every purchase at La Recyclerie a small but meaningful contribution to a more sustainable and equitable future.

The Sustainable Restaurant Experience

The culinary offerings at La Recyclerie are as thoughtful and eco-conscious as its overall mission. Operating on a no-reservations policy, it encourages a spontaneous and welcoming atmosphere. We recommend arriving early, especially on busy days like Sunday mornings, to secure a table and fully soak in the pre-service ambiance. During our last visit with friends on a Sunday, we arrived just as the team was preparing for the morning rush. This allowed us to choose our preferred table, take leisurely photos, and enjoy relaxed conversation before diving into the delectable menu. It’s an experience that feels less like a formal meal and more like gathering in a friend’s wonderfully eclectic home.

Under the expert guidance of chef Gilles Cherrier and his dedicated team, the daily menu at La Recyclerie celebrates freshness and seasonality. Every dish is crafted with ingredients sourced responsibly, often from their own urban farm, ensuring peak flavor and minimal environmental impact. The cuisine is unfussy yet incredibly delicious, reflecting a commitment to quality and simplicity that truly lets the natural flavors shine.

In a progressive move, La Recyclerie dedicates one day per week to serving only vegetarian and vegan food, and one weekend per month, their popular brunch becomes entirely plant-based. This initiative not only caters to a growing demand for diverse dietary options but also actively promotes sustainable eating habits, showcasing the richness and variety that plant-forward cuisine can offer without compromising on taste or satisfaction.

Beyond the delicious food, the dining experience is elevated by the charmingly eclectic decor. I personally adore the vintage touches that adorn every corner of the space. During our visit, we delighted in spotting a myriad of intriguing items: whimsical birdcages, inviting bottles of rhum arrangé, classic busts, a captivating vintage mannequin, and an antique mailbox, among many other treasures. These “bibelots” (French for small decorative objects) are not just ornaments; they are integral to La Recyclerie’s narrative of reuse and reinvention, creating an atmosphere that is both cozy and inspiring. It’s a sensory feast, combining the aroma of fresh, seasonal food with the visual charm of repurposed history.

And if all of this weren’t already cool enough, I haven’t even mentioned the crown jewel of their sustainable ecosystem: the local urban farm.

An Authentic Urban Farm… in Paris!

One of the most surprising and delightful features of La Recyclerie is its thriving urban farm, a true rarity in such a densely populated city. Our very first visit to this unique establishment was during an outdoor Swedish market, where we were immediately captivated by the sight of happy chickens clucking around, the picturesque setting along the Petite Ceinture, and the innovative overall concept. It’s hard to imagine, but right here in Paris, a genuine farm contributes to the restaurant’s fresh, seasonal ingredients.

This urban farm is more than just a source of produce; it’s a living, breathing educational space. Here, various herbs, vegetables, and fruits are cultivated using sustainable practices. The presence of animals, particularly chickens, adds to the authentic farm experience, providing fresh eggs daily for the restaurant’s kitchen. The farm serves as a practical demonstration of how self-sufficiency and hyper-local food production can be integrated into urban environments. It minimizes food miles, reduces waste, and offers a tangible connection between what’s grown and what’s served on your plate.

Visitors to La Recyclerie can often observe the farm in action, and the venue frequently hosts workshops on topics like gardening, composting, and animal care. This interactive approach encourages guests to learn about and engage with sustainable agriculture, fostering a deeper appreciation for where our food comes from and the effort involved in producing it responsibly. The urban farm perfectly encapsulates La Recyclerie’s mission: to inspire and educate about a more sustainable future, one fresh egg and homegrown vegetable at a time.

Planning Your Visit to La Recyclerie Paris

Whether you’re a local Parisian or a curious traveler, La Recyclerie offers a truly unique and enriching experience. It’s an indispensable destination for anyone interested in exploring Paris beyond the usual tourist traps, especially those keen on discovering the city’s burgeoning eco-conscious movement. You will undoubtedly fall in love with this multi-faceted, eco-friendly space, which perfectly blends a delightful restaurant, an innovative urban farm, and a treasure trove of fun vintage finds (or bibelots in French!). More than just its individual components, it’s the overarching sustainable philosophy and the vibrant community spirit that make La Recyclerie a must-visit.

It’s a place to eat well, learn something new, connect with like-minded individuals, and be inspired by a vision of a more sustainable urban future. So, next time you’re in Paris, venture off the well-trodden paths and immerse yourself in the collaborative, green oasis that is La Recyclerie. You won’t just be having a meal or attending a workshop; you’ll be part of a larger movement for positive change.

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First published April 22, 2018. Last updated April 26, 2021 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.