Street Art in Paris: Our Ultimate Guide
Enjoy the best of street art in Paris with our guide
From rotating open-air installations to hidden galleries, Paris is a city that embraces street art culture and proudly celebrates it. With the likes of famous locals such as Invader and Jef Aerosol dolling up their streets, the colourful capital has also attracted other international artists such as ROA and Banksy - and there's a few masterpieces scattered around the city. Here are the best places to head to for your fix of street art in Paris.
Oberkampf
This colourful neighbourhood is renowned for its vibrant walls and range of high profile street artists, with the likes of Jerome Mesnager and Nemo classing up the joint. However, it's perhaps best known for Le MUR - a dedicated wall with a revolving string of internationally acclaimed artists, which is completely redone every two weeks and provides an insight into popular street art movements of the time. It's also home to a thriving nightlife district, if you're looking for a party once you've gotten your cultural fix.
Belleville
Rue Denoyez in the Belleville neighbourhood is one of the city's most beloved street art walks and is painted from top to bottom in vibrant works, so grab a coffee at Le Barbouquin and drink in the art around you. For just a short 165 metre stretch, it's a completely mindblowing experience with new and old artists coming together to transform the street.
Rue Germaine Taillefaire
Although this street is just under twenty years old, it's more than made its mark on the city. Located in the 19th arrondissement nearby the canal, there's a number of hip-hop-inspired pieces and tributes to the likes of the late Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest. You can also expect artists like Marko 93's impressive lions and monkeys, as well as Kouka's works which draw on his African heritage.
13th Arrondissement
This area of Paris is packed with colour and is well worth a wander if you'd like to take things slow, with splashes of paint on every other wall. From Jace's Donkey Kong mural on Rue du Moulinet to Shepard Fairey's patriotic works nearby the Nationale metro station, there's works of all shapes and sizes so don't forget to take your camera. Other notable streets to explore include Passage Boiton, College Moulin des Pres and Rue Vandrezanne.
L'Aerosol
L'Aerosol is one of the newest kids on the block and is a massive structure dedicated to celebrating the best of street art in a chilled-out space. For real art connoisseurs, they've set up a large street art museum in collaboration with Maquis-Art featuring works by Invader, Banksy, Shepard Fairey and more to peruse. It's also a great place to wile away the hours in, as it features a skate park, food trucks and petanque ground - you know, if that's your thing.
Art42
Banksy, Jef Aerosol, ROA, Invader: these are just a few of the names exhibiting at Art42, Paris' first museum dedicated to street artists. While it also doubles as a computer programming school, you don't need to be a student to get access luckily however you will need to do a bit of forward planning. You'll have to book in advance to get access on Tuesdays or Sundays and if you want a deep dive into the work displayed, they offer a couple of English tours.
