Paris, France — It’s one of the more iconic urban renewal programs in the heart of the French capital just minutes from the Gare du Lyon train station and a short walk to the Bastille. Ground Control, in a nod to David Bowie, opened up in what was once a postal sorting center. Visitors enter the structure from an extensive greenery-infused outdoor terrace, conducive to eating, drinking, socializing and enjoying the great urban outdoors. Inside exhibitions, a space for renting board and card games, a record shop (aptly named Uncle Tom) and exhibition spaces await. There is also a wide selection of food of the world available from stationary food carts serving homemade food featuring organic and locally-sourced products as well as a market garden on the premises.

Street foods of the world are all on the agenda including pizza from, where else, Naples, the great Greek dish that is the chicken souvlaki and over at the aptly named Burning Nan you can find a delectable Indian butter chicken. But one of the highlights is the La Résidence food truck which is brought to Ground Control by the Refugee Food Association and does the double duty of giving refugees a place to work but also to show off the cooking of their faraway or not so faraway lands. Recent offerings included a vegetarian mafé, a traditional West African dish and a box of taste treats to share including chicken wings, falafels and sweet potato fries. A host of beverages are on the agenda as well including organic wines and craft beers.

The collective experience at Ground Control is unique, bringing together cultural, artistic, and ecological activities dedicated to bringing about a better future. This is where the grass roots operations come in. A recent round table discussed the pros and cons of working at home. A recent exhibition looked at cult objects that emerged from various social and labor movements. The community is the venue’s core value with regular festivals, events and programs. One of Ground Control’s unique initiatives is to facilitate education for minors that are either isolated or exiled in France. Called Droit à l’École (the right to go to school), the program offers course work and extra help programs to school age students. Upcoming events include a Cardio Rave exercise class, a Soul Train fest paying tribute to the iconic 1970s television show and an encounter with a French wine maker. Yoga classes, food and wine sessions and music and dance experiences are held on a regular basis. For the full program go to https://www.groundcontrolparis.com/

Ground Control – 81 Rue du Charolais, 75012 Paris, France. Wed & Thurs; noon until midnight. Fri-Sat: noon until 1am and Sun: noon until 10:30pm
https://www.groundcontrolparis.com/