The city of Lyon has planted its first urban orchards.

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PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP

  • The city of Lyon planted its first urban orchard this week.

  • Eight more will follow by the end of the year.

  • It is about bringing agriculture back to the city, involving the inhabitants and encouraging consumers to consume more locally.

Picking raspberries or apples in the center of Lyon: the idea seemed utopian a few years ago.

Today, it is on the way to becoming reality.

The first urban orchard in the city of Lyon was planted on November 23 in the 8th arrondissement, in the square of the 14th regiment of Zouaves.

Eight others, distributed in each arrondissement, will follow by the end of the year.

A first step.

"The creation of these orchards will make it possible to transform 5,000 m² of lawn areas into as many nourishing areas and carriers of biodiversity", welcomes Grégory Doucet, the city's EELV mayor.

They will host 10 fruit varieties from the region, including Burlat cherries, Williams pears, apples, vine peaches, apricots and raspberries.

Demonstrator

“This action is more than symbolic.

It must serve as a demonstrator.

We want to explain to residents that agriculture is within everyone's reach and that it is possible in the city, ”explains Nicolas Husson, deputy in charge of biodiversity and nature in the city.

And thus make the Capital of Gaul, a "nourishing city".

But first, it will be necessary to work on education to arrive at the first harvests.

The municipality will rely for this on several partners such as the Applied Botanical Resource Center or the naturalist association Anthropologia.

“The inhabitants, who will benefit from these orchards, will be advised and trained initially.

Then it will be their turn to take charge, water the plants, cut them, and maintain them.

We want them to be involved ”, continues Nicolas Husson.

Encourage local consumption

The management and development of the orchards will be entrusted to MJCs, school groups, social centers or neighborhood associations.

Educational panels will be installed to explain to residents the general usefulness of the project.

“Beyond the educational virtues, it aims to convince people of the merits of benefiting from the fruits of the earth.

This will perhaps encourage them to improve the taste quality of their food, to turn to local and healthy food or to local shops or even markets ", continues the elected, eager to" bring a little countryside to the countryside. city ​​".

If successful, the urban orchards will be multiplied "throughout the term", he promises.

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