Photo : Ferme de Paris
Soup Festival at the shared garden
The Green Whale garden includes 42 individual/shared plots, 8 community plots, a pond, 10 birdhouses, a special bat house, a ping-pong table, a book box, a winter greenhouse... Come and discover this place and its history.
Jardin partagé (Paris 12th)
About
In 2014, the association "Autour de la baleine", which has existed since 2003, proposed transforming a simple lawn located in the middle of the Ilot Saint Eloi - in the 12th arrondissement - into a shared garden.
The idea was to create conviviality and solidarity in this neighborhood. Setting up a shared garden built by everyone to do things together, and allowing the residents of the surrounding buildings to be able to enjoy it and create social ties.
This is how the adventure of the green whale shared garden began nearly 11 years ago... And it is still going on! Come and meet the association at the soup festival.
Our take on this event
Ditch the crowded bars and head to a tucked-away community garden in the 12th district for a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This charming local gathering is the perfect spot to mingle with locals and experience a slice of neighborhood soul in the middle of the city.
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, the community garden at 10 rue Erard in the 12th arrondissement hosts the Fête de la soupe. This event offers a warm welcome to local residents looking to discover the space established by the association Autour de la baleine. Created in 2014 to foster neighborly bonds within the Saint-Éloi block, the garden serves as a hub for local solidarity. Attendance is free of charge, and no advance booking is required. Join the organizers between 18:00 and 19:15 to experience this unique initiative that has been thriving in the heart of Paris for over a decade.
The Baleine Verte community garden, located at 10 rue Erard in the 12th district, invites the public to its Fête de la soupe on Sunday, November 1, 2026. This gathering takes place from 18:00 to 19:15, offering a glimpse into a green space that was transformed from a simple lawn into a vibrant community project starting in 2014.
The association Autour de la baleine, active in the area since 2003, manages this space with the goal of strengthening social ties among local residents. The garden was built through collaborative efforts to ensure that people living in the surrounding buildings have a shared place to connect, garden, and interact with one another.
Participation in this event is free, making it an accessible opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the garden's history and the work of the association. Come by to meet the members, enjoy the atmosphere, and support the ongoing social initiatives that have defined this local landmark for the past eleven years.
