New farm is thriving in the darkness

Mushrooms grow best in the dark and a new enterprise in Paris has taken that a step further – the whole farm is in a disused underground car park.

La Caverne produces organic mushrooms and endives, harvested on the day of delivery.

It says it aims to create jobs, currently 10, which cannot be relocated and to re-energise the profession of farming as well as give residents local and tasty vegetables. Co-founder Théo Champagnat said: “We only sell to people in Paris so it’s very environmentally friendly.”

Working there does not mean spending all day in the dark, as Mr Champagnat explained: “There is artificial lighting.

“You do get disconnected from the weather but we have breaks. It’s not much different from working in an office with artificial lighting.”

La Caverne is starting a similar farm in Bordeaux and plans others in Lyon and Lille.