June, 2018

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I hadn’t been on a walking tour in Paris for I-don’t-know-how-long, but “le Marais écolo” drew me in. I’ve lived in the Marais area for most of the 15 years I’ve been in Paris, which leads you to think you must know everything about it. Our fearless leader, Laurent Guignon, showed things I’d never seen or even thought of, despite treading the same streets repeatedly...

...little pocket gardens so people can raise their own veggies or flower

(Note king-sized artichokes)

...headquarters of environmental action groups I didn’t know were, like, next door.

Laurent comes armed with all kinds of handouts that explain, for example, how to apply for a permit that allows you to plant greenery around trees that line the streets or along walls. Or how particles in the air are measured by the city (at left). Recycling guides. Maps of where shared gardens are in Paris. This tour focused on the 4th arrondissement, but he promised one for mine, the 3rd.