“It’s the field of possibilities on a human scale”: the shared gardens of Millau cultivate understanding and ecology

Faustine, jardinière dans l’âme, vient régulièrement entretenir sa parcelle à Cantarane. Midi Libre – Laura VAILLANT

Sources de liens sociaux et de mixité, les jardins partagés de Millau reposent sur une agriculture biologique.

"Une belle expérience humaine."The Millavois, or people passing through, have certainly seen plots of land in full cultivation along the Tarn and the Dourbie. The concept of shared gardens, in full swing, seems to have won over the inhabitants of the city of the glove since the three plots are full.

Their story begins during the first year in office of Emmanuelle Gazel, mayor of Millau. "We put a citizen vote on list of projects with funding of 3 million euros in total, explains Séverine Peyretout , municipal councilor responsible for Ecology. And shared gardens were among the projects favored by the Millavois."

Promote organic farming

In March 2022, the first garden was created along avenue Gabriac, on the right bank of the Tarn, with 46 plots of 50 m². A year later, it was along the Dourbie that Aigoual was built with 28 plots of 50 m² also. Finally, very recently, not far from the La Grave car park, the Cantarane site opened its doors. To date, it has 13 plots of surface area equivalent to the previous ones. Each of these gardens, managed by the Terres Partées Millavoises association, has a common plot on which the members, take part in collective projects.

In order to own a piece of land, for a cost of 30 € per year, some criteria have been defined. In particular, that of promoting organic farming, that is to say a mode of production which uses agricultural practices concerned with respecting natural balances. On site, depending on the sites: compost bins, fagotière or even use of water from Dourbie and Tarn.

The plots located on Avenue de l’Aigoual are only accessible by bike or on foot. Free Midi – Laura Vaillant

Each site has its own spirit. That of Aigoual is defined by Jonathan, member of the Millavoise Shared Lands committee, as being the "field of possibilities on a human scale". Recovery of materials for various works, accessibility by gentle mobility only or even energy autonomy; so many criteria making this place eco-responsible. A dynamic widely followed in Cantarane since there too, energy autonomy is required with manual pumps drawing water from the Tarn.

Friendly spaces

Gabriac, l’Aigoual and Cantarane, three gardens in different points of Millau meeting the requirements of the Charter of Shared Gardens: solidarity, social bond and diversity. In Aigoual, the low number of plots allowed the establishment of a monthly meeting for members. update on everyone's desires.

The Terres sharedes Millavoises association is in charge of managing the three sites. Midi Free – Laura Vaillant

Cantarane, freshly on his feet, is in a period of adjustment. But, the spirit is the same: forming a group between the members of the 13 plots. knowledge (and seeds too), argues Natacha, member of the committee.

Sharing places

Emmanuelle, also a member, has always had a particular attachment to plants. From her first garden plot at her grandfather's house when she was a child to her experience in horticulture. By converting into an apartment, the lack of cultivable green space was felt. She then got started when she learned that plots of land were made available in Cantarane. For her, keen to share this experience, the shared garden seemed obvious compared to renting a private garden. The opportunity, beyond sharing plan(s), to see different plots succeed one another, reflections of the identity of your gardener.

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