Le Street art in Paris : tours and ideas of course

Are you in the French capital? So enjoy it to visit the Street Art in Paris through our ideas of course!

Our beautiful French capital is world-famous for its historical monuments, exciting museums, Haussmannian buildings and modern architecture. Few are visitors to think Street Art when you evoke Paris. Yet, as any culturally dynamic and concrete-rich city, it obviously does not lack spaces of expression for herbal artists. The buildings, walls and concrete spaces are then Picasso's paintings of contemporary times!

Are you passionate about this alternative art or do you simply want to marvel at the Street art in Paris? We inform you in this article all the tours and ideas of course to discover it during your stay in the capital!

The Street Art in Paris in a few words

In Paris, magnificent or strange works of art are concealed or displayed without complex, at the turn of each street, on a façade or a pillar. Urban art has long returned to the DNA of the French capital. After all, the Street art is a nest wherever concrete and urban jungle appear.

There are so many mural graffiti, such as those of Basquiat, stencils, anonymous tags, posters or clandestine collages. Big names are displayed: Jef Aérosolf Miss.Tic, Invader or Shepard Fairey. Local or unknown artists also challenge the big ones by painting their frescoes where envy takes them! In short, and as one could imagine in a cultural high place like Paris, the Street art has taken and it is displayed everywhere. In each neighbourhood, you can discover extraordinary works.

In the 13th arrondissement

If there is a must-see area for the Street art in Paris, it is the 13th arrondissement! For some years it has become the privileged spot for street artists. Having become a real open-air museum, you will discover huge urban frescoes covering the HLM facades. On Boulevard Paris 13 for example, you can admire works by artists such as Maye, Shepard Fairey, C215, Inti or Conor Harrington .

Keep your eyes in the air to contemplate the 50 frescoes made by 22 different artists. You are particularly recommended around the National Metro, rue Jeanne d’Arc and boulevard Vincent Auriol. In particular, American artist Shepard Fairey made a famous fresco with the French motto: “Freedom, equality, fraternity”. Just beside you will also see a work representing Doctor House, signed by French Invader! Another well-known spot in the neighborhood: the Butte-aux-Cailles, where there are a dozen frescoes as well. You will have understood this: the 13th arrondissement is not to be missed during your discovery of Street art in Paris.

In the Eastern Paris: from Oberkampf to Ménilmontant

Among the major spots of Street art in Paris, there are obviously areas of Oberkampf, Belleville and Ménilmontant. As far as the route is concerned, you are advised to go up the street of Ménilmontant. In particular, you will discover an emblematic mural by Jérôme Mesnager. Higher in the same street, you can admire recent works on the facade of the Baudoin Square Pavilion. Renowned artists repeach her regularly. Make an equal turn on Rue Henri Noguères, rue des Petits Carreaux, towards Point Éphémère and the docks of the Canal Saint-Martin. In all these passages, you can admire beautiful frescoes, which really are worth a look!

But above all, we recommend the 107 Oberkampf Street spot. Every two weeks, you can watch a performance of a new artist. The latter expresses itself freely on the spot, “painting” in public and daytime. The spot thus regularly changes shape and color, for the greatest pleasure of amateurs and spectators. This is a spot not to be missed during your visit to the Street art in Paris!

Before leaving the Paris East, think about walking around Belleville Park in the 20th arrondissement. In the middle of a little nature, you can admire works by artists such as Seth, Kenor or El Pez. They spread all over the walls and pillars.

In the Villette district

In this 19th arrondissement, there are two emblematic streets of Street art in Paris. The first, Rue de l’Ourcq, is not far from the canal. Here you will find a long, big wall that several artists from the 19th arrondissement have embelli. Each has brought its own small personal touch, creating an exceptional and unmistakable fresco. In particular, you will recognize the dancing characters of the Psy graffiti, the luminous portraits of Marko 93 or the ethnic masks of DaCruz.

The second street, rue d’Aubervilliers, houses one of the longest frescoes in Paris, if not the longest! Over nearly five hundred meters, you will discover stunning works. Kashink, Combo and JonOne paid tribute to the famous Rosa Parks. This particular work is an incontournable and should be admired by any amateur of Parisian urban art.

In the center of Paris: from Beaubourg to Gainsbourg

The centre of Paris obviously lacks street art works. The city centre walls have thus become a real playground for local and international artists. To start your discovery, you should start with Igor-Stravinsky Square. In particular, you will discover a gigantic work by Jef Aérosol. Made in the stencil, it represents the enigmatic face of a man inviting to silence, probably Dali. Not far, the artist Obey Giant painted a feminist and in-game work on a neighbouring façade. She's not to miss too!

Then continue your visit to the Street Art in Paris via rue de la Verrerie, where you can still find a work by M.Chat. Finally continue your walk on the other side of the Seine, on the left bank. In the chic district of the 7th arrondissement, you will find in Verneuil street the house once occupied by Serge Gainsbourg. Don't worry, she's unmistakable. Since the death of the singer and poet in 1991, his walls are covered with paintings, drawings, graffiti and posters. All or almost pay tribute to this famous man, very appreciated by the French!

A Vitry-sur-Seine

After the city centre, we recommend you go outside the capital. Street art in Paris is also found in all neighbouring cities. Among them, Vitry-sur-Seine emerges as one of the most dynamic, artistic. She was able to acquire the sweet nickname “city of street art”, especially thanks to the efforts of local artists, associations and public authorities. So you shouldn't miss it!

Here, urban art is everywhere: on a corner of wall, on a sidewalk, on a lamppost or any pillar, sometimes even on an electric terminal! You will see works and creations of any kind: various graffiti, pokers, collages or painters. But we reassure you: here you will find great frescoes as well! For example, on Pierre Semard Street, you can admire an iconic work of the city: the “French robot” of the Italian artist Pixel Pancho.

The Street Art in Paris

The Street in Paris is not only admired outside! You can uncover the urban art of the capital in galleries and museums. We recommend the Art42 located in the 17th arrondissement. This is the first French urban art museum!

Many other galleries also offer street art exhibitions in Paris. Among them are the Openspace, the Artistik Rezo the amateur cabinet and the Magda Danysz gallery. All are in the 11th arrondissement. You can also make a tour to Itinerrance in the 13th rounding, or Wallworks in the 10th.

Finally, and this may surprise you, you can also find exhibitions on the street art at the Louvre! If you hesitate to visit this Parisian cultural jewel, you now have a good reason.