Imagine walking through a grey laneway in Sydney or Melbourne, concrete everywhere, when suddenly you see a tomato vine climbing a pole, wildflowers blooming, and herbs tucked into footpath corners. In cities across France, this isn’t a dream, it’s a movement.

While many of us might grumble about potholes and street noise, a growing number of everyday French citizens are grabbing spades, seeds and a whole lot of passion to fight back against urban blandness. This movement is called “Guerrilla gardening”, a cheeky, rebellious and surprisingly effective way to bring life back to our concrete-heavy environments.

This grassroots movement is gaining traction in more ways than one, and it’s proof that even small acts can grow into something big and beautiful.

Greening the Grey: What Is Guerrilla Gardening?

Guerrilla gardening is all about turning neglected or unused urban spaces into little pockets of nature without waiting for permission. Think roundabouts, empty planters, the sad patch of dirt next to a bus stop. French citizens are planting edible gardens, flowers, trees and herbs wherever they can, transforming eyesores into mini ecosystems.

If you follow us on social media, you might have seen that I did this to our green patch in front of our house too. 

This isn’t a brand new idea (the term was coined in the 1970s), but in France, it has seen a powerful resurgence thanks in part to increasing awareness about climate change, food security and the need for greener cities.

From Flowerbeds to Food Forests

Incredible things are growing from these small acts of defiance. In cities like Lyon, Nantes and Paris, locals are transforming sidewalks and alleyways into herb gardens, wildflower meadows and even mini food forests. Some are carefully tended, while others are left to grow wild, giving pollinators a much-needed lifeline in the concrete jungle.

One Paris based gardener cultivated over 80 different plant species in a formerly vacant lot, from lavender and tomatoes to wild strawberries and kale. Not bad for a space most people had written off.

Among the most recognisable faces of the movement is Ophélie Damblé, a 35-year-old urban gardener who goes by Ta Mère Nature online. A former media professional, she now uses humour, grit, and greenery to inspire a new generation of urban growers across France. 

Digging In With Legal Backing

What’s particularly unique about France’s guerrilla gardening scene is that, in many cases, it’s actually supported by the government. In 2015, the city of Paris launched the Permis de végétaliser (that’s “license to green” for us non-French speakers), giving residents official permission to garden in public spaces.

Since then, over 7,000 permits have been issued in Paris alone. So while the term “guerrilla” might make it sound rebellious, it’s increasingly being embraced by local councils who see the value in citizen-led sustainability. 

Why It Matters: Beauty, Biodiversity and Big Wins

These micro gardens do more than brighten up a neighbourhood. They create vital green corridors for birds, bees and other urban wildlife. They improve air quality, reduce heat and offer fresh food for locals. Plus, they bring people together. Strangers connecting over strawberries instead of screens? Yes please.

Guerrilla gardening is proof that hopeful, hands-on action can make a difference. It turns passive frustration into progress, and the best part is, anyone can do it. No garden bed required, just a bit of dirt, a few seeds and the will to get your hands dirty.

Small Seeds, Big Change

The story of France’s guerrilla gardeners shows that change doesn’t have to come from big budgets or sweeping legislation. Sometimes, it starts with one seed, one person, one little act of green rebellion.

If we’ve learnt anything from our sustainable community here at Go For Zero, it’s that doing good doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be conscious. So next time you walk past a dull stretch of pavement, imagine the magic that could be growing there instead.

If you loved this story, there’s plenty more where that came from right here!

Lots of love,
Ellie