PARIS | Paris is one of the best European cities in which to find street art. Starting with stencil art in the 1950s, the city’s graffiti scene evolved, and then exploded in May 1968. In that year student protestors covered walls with political, poetic and graphic messages using collages, posters, and stencils.
The 1980s saw influences from New York City’s street art scene, adopted in Paris. American street artists visited Paris, formed crews with other local and international artists, and expanded street art’s reach throughout the city.
Today, you’ll find street art throughout Paris. There’s still plenty of political art to be found, along with whimsical pieces, murals that celebrate the city and its people, and artworks that reveal aspects of the artists’ personalities and lives. In this Paris street art guide, I’ll tell you about some of my favourite areas to visit for Paris’ best street art.
The 13th Arrondissement
This part of Paris is filled with numerous high-rise residential towers, which create a perfect canvas for large murals. The local council is a big supporter of the arts, and has commissioned several urban art projects in the neighbourhood. Passers by are encouraged to engage with the community, with many of the murals focused on the people who live in the area, their stories and dreams, and things that are important to the local community.
In particular, explore the streets around Nationale and Chevaleret metro stations, and the left bank, on the south side of the River Seine. It’s here you’ll find some of the largest and most impressive murals in the area.
Belleville
Belleville, and the wider 20th arrondissement is arguably the best place to find street art in Paris. It’s a former industrial area that attracts a youthful, creative, crowd, filled with trendy bars and eateries, and galleries. Walking through Bellville is like walking through an open-air gallery. Just when you think there couldn’t be any more art in the area, you take a turn and find another street filled with interesting murals.
There are large murals, small murals, and everything in between in Belleville. The murals draw you in, dealing with topics that relate to the neighbourhood, and encourage you to stop and reflect. While you’re in the area, be sure to also pay a visit to the beautiful Parc de Belleville. It’s the highest park in Paris, and offers great views of the city.
Le Marais
Historic Le Marais is one of my favourite parts of Paris. It’s narrow, cobblestone streets and historic architecture are lined with brilliant places to eat and drink, and plenty of interesting, independent boutiques. The street art game is strong in this neighbourhood, with plenty of murals from local and international artists like Shepard Fairey aka Obey, and Space Invader.
Be sure to pay particular attention when walking around Le Marais. There are a lot of small, unassuming murals that you can easily miss at first glance.
Ménilmontant
Located between Belleville and the Père Lachaise Cemetery, you’ll find the neighbourhood of Ménilmontant. It’s a working class neighbourhood, popular with students and artists due to its cheap rents. In the 1990s, the area was popular with punk musicians, and anti-establishment individuals. In many ways its a grungier, less-gentrified version of Belleville. Full of character, and with a lot of great street art that reflects the area’s past and present.
Oberkampf
Oberkampf is the place to visit for some of the freshest street art in Paris. The urban art project Le M.U.R., began in 2003 and offers legal and prominent spaces for street artists to create murals. The murals are refreshed monthly, meaning that it’s a great way to get a taste of what’s happening in Paris’ street art scene right now.
Buttes-Chaumont
Paris, 19th arrondissement is home to two of Paris’ largest parks – Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and Parc de la Villette. The latter is the third largest park in Paris, and filled with plenty of things to see and do. Directly across from the park, you’ll find open-air street art museum, 27 Pantin. The buildings here features multiple artworks created by around 30 local and international artists. The murals are renewed every three years.
The neighbourhood is also home to a long wall filled with murals along Canal de l’Ourcq. Another long wall run parallel to Rue Aubervilliers. This wall is home to several murals, including the longest one in Paris, a 493 metre tribute to Rosa Parks, painted by multiple artists.
Identified artists featured in the image gallery include:
- Daniel van der Noon
- The End of Animals
- Fabio de Oliveira aka Cranio
- Felipe Yong aka FLIP
- Fragments
- Invader
- Jean Jerome
- Jo Little
- Kashink
- Les3murs
- Lesmurs Ont Des Oreilles
- Mag Magrela
- Szafar
- Sun Sarara Shana
I hope you enjoy discovering Paris’ street art scene Remember, there is a lot of street art in Paris and while my Paris street art guide is a great place to start, be sure to keep your eyes peeled no matter where you are in the city, as you’re almost guaranteed to find street art.
What are your favourites places for street art in Paris? Are there any street art neighbourhoods beyond these hotspots that you love?