The geodesic greenhouse in Francheville
It all starts here: a geodesic greenhouse 12.5 metres in diameter, in Francheville, in the Jura part of Bresse, about twenty minutes from Lons-le-Saunier. Under its dome, around 120 m² of ethnobotanical garden, where the plants that gave birth to LEGBA grow.
A dome-shaped greenhouse
A geodesic greenhouse is a dome made of assembled triangles. This shape offers the largest volume for the least material, and it stands up to wind and snow, which matters in the Jura.
The dome also always presents the same surface to the sun, from morning to evening. Heat comes in steadily all day long, without the heat spikes of a conventional greenhouse, and in winter we make the most of every ray of sun.
It was built by Les Serres Domes, a French manufacturer specialising in these structures.
Mother plants that live without watering
Our mother plants have been in place since summer 2019. They grow on lasagna beds, a technique that comes from permaculture. Layers of plant material, brown and green, are stacked on top of each other: cardboard, branches, leaves, grass clippings. They slowly break down into a rich soil that holds moisture like a sponge.
The result: for two years now, we have not watered our mother plants, and they are still there.
It is from them that we harvest some of the seeds we offer. When a species does not grow in our climate, we select its seeds from producers.
An ethnobotanical garden
Ethnobotany looks at the relationship between people and plants: what we do with them, what we say about them, what cultures have attributed to them. Under the dome, rare plants, aromatic plants and ritual plants from all over the world grow side by side: mandrake, tea tree (Melaleuca), Toona sinensis, nicknamed the stock-cube tree, or mo long (Paederia lanuginosa), the vine that smells of camembert.
What comes out of the greenhouse
This is where we prepare our loose teas and infusions, our natural incense and our infused rums, and where the rare plants we ship from April to the end of October are grown.
The story of LEGBA and the origin of its name are told on the about page.
Visiting the greenhouse
Route de la Chaux-en-Bresse, 39230 Francheville, by appointment only. Because of the weekend markets, we do not set days in advance: write to us at contact@legba.fr and we will find a time together.
You can park in front of the greenhouse. The whole range is on sale direct on site, and you can collect an order placed on the website there.
Our stockists and upcoming markets are on the Where to find us page.
Tasting at the greenhouse
For groups of 5 to 9 people, we host a guided tasting of our infused rums, with an aperitif platter: about two hours, 25 € per person. How it works and how to book are on the infused rum tasting page. Restricted to adults (18 and over).
Frequently asked questions
What is a geodesic greenhouse?
A dome-shaped greenhouse made of assembled triangles. It captures light evenly throughout the day and stands up well to wind and snow.
What is a lasagna bed?
A growing mound made of layers of plant material that break down where they lie. It feeds the soil and holds water, which greatly reduces watering.
Can I visit the greenhouse?
Yes, by appointment only. Write to us at contact@legba.fr: as we are at markets at weekends, we agree on the date together.
Can I buy on site?
Yes, the whole range is on sale direct at the greenhouse, and you can collect an online order there.
Where is the greenhouse?
In Francheville (39230), in the Jura part of Bresse, about twenty minutes from Lons-le-Saunier.
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