Where To See The Best Street Art In Paris
Edited on
Artist: The End
Location: 7 Rue Gabrielle 75018 Paris, France
Taking a street art tour is a great way to learn about any city. You get to see amazing urban mural art and graffiti and discover the politics, social movements, and culture behind these local murals. It’s also a great way to get a better understanding of the layout of a city and discover neighborhoods you may otherwise overlook on your trip. Whenever I travel to a new city, I love to see what the local street artists are up to, and Paris was no exception.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 7 Rue Gabrielle, 75018 Paris, France
Where To Find The Best Street Art Paris Has To Offer
When it comes to where to see the best street art in Paris, you’re going to be looking at primarily two areas: the area between the 5th arrondissement and the 13th arrondissement, and Montmartre, located in the 18th arrondissement. Word of warning: if you’re looking to spot great Parisian street art but want to avoid climbing hills and stairs, you’ll want to avoid the Montmartre area. While you’ll find some great Paris street art there, it is not an area created for those with mobility issues, and you’ll do a lot of climbing. You have to climb 180 stairs just to exit the neighborhood metro station. So, if you’re going to search for street art in Montmartre, definitely make sure you’re up for climbing the public stairs and the French hillside.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 16 Rue André Barsacq, 75018 Paris, France
Taking A Paris Street Art Tour
While you can easily explore these areas on your own, I opted to take a street art tour. I recommend the street art tour organized by Memories France. It costs about $46 per person for a 90-minute walking tour. Though ours lasted about 2 hours because we were so interested and our expert guide had a lot to share, their tours are led by actual street artists who can tell you all about the work you’re seeing and the artists, as well as any relevant news or cultural influences.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
What Will You See On Your Paris Street Art Tour?
No, you’re not going to see a Banksy, but you will see plenty of art from notable street artists like Invader (be sure to download the Invader app, Flash Invaders, before you go to track his works and earn points), Miss TIC, Seth (Julien Malland), Kashink, and more. Below you’ll find a quick overview of notable Parisian Street artists.
Artist: @tweet_streetart
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Contemporary Paris Street Artists & International Stars:
- JR: A world-renowned photographer known for his large-scale portraits pasted in public spaces.
- Invader: The anonymous artist known for placing mosaic “Space Invaders” figures throughout cities, including many in Paris.
- Seth (Julien Malland): Creates large, colorful murals, often featuring children looking into buildings.
- Kashink: A prominent female artist with vibrant, colorful works inspired by Mexican culture.
- C215 (Christian Guémy): Known for poignant and detailed stencil portraits.
Other Notable Parisian Street Artists:
- Miss TIC: Uses sensual, rebellious feminine figures in her stencils.
- Levalet: Known for his black-and-white characters, often interacting with urban architecture.
- Bom. K & Brusk: Known for surreal and multidimensional works.
Artist: P*NM
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Is Graffiti in Paris Legal?
Like in many places, graffiti in Paris is largely illegal. You’ll find a lot of stencil and paper art because artists often work quickly so as not to be caught. You’ll also find a lot of mirror works, 3D sculptures, and small-scale works. Make sure you keep your eyes open, and as my guide said, always look behind you.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Along with these smaller pieces, you’ll find a fair amount of larger, commissioned murals, which are perfectly legal and delightfully colorful. There are also a fair number of political pieces depicting pro-Ukraine and pro-Palestinian images.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Bring On The Paris Street Art, Please!
Below, I’ll take you through some of the outstanding works of art in the streets of Paris. I hope you enjoy this collection and have the chance to visit yourself one day.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 23 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: P*NM
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Louyz
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75023 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Leo D
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paaris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artists: Unknown
Location: 3 Rue Buot, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 27 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: P*NM
Location: 27 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 27 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 27 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 53 Rue des Cinq Diamants, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Lou YZ
Location: 18 Rue Alphand, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Val Stencil
Location: 4 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Miss TIC
Location: 4 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Heartcraft
Location: 4 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Heartcraft
Location: 4 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 4 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: P*NM
Location: 1-19 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Flex Sardé
Location: 1-19 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 1-19 Passage Sigaud, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 13 Rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 13 Rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: FKOL
Location: 13 Rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 13 Rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Invader
Location: 8 Rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 47 Rue des Cinq Diamants, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Val Stencil
Location: 47 Rue des Cinq Diamants, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 47 Rue des Cinq Diamants, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Zabou
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Miss TIC
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Miss TIC
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Lou Loumant
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Glad POV
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist Miss TIC
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Val Stencil
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Heartcraft
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013, Paris, France
Artist: Invader
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: LouYZ
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: deLong
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: de Long
Location: 60 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 34 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 34 Rue Gérard, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Invader
Location: 6 Rue du Moulin des Prés, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown
Location: 6 Rue du Moulin des Prés, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Lou YZ
Location: 19 Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, 75013 Paris, France
Artist: Unknown – street art with a little Paris graffiti
Final Thoughts on The Best Places To Find Street Art in Paris
When it comes to urban art, Paris does not disappoint. Whether you choose to use this guide to do your own street art tour or sign up for a proper guided tour, you’re sure to have an amazing time viewing the works of these great urban artists. Though I do recommend taking the tour. You’ll learn a bit about the history of street art in Paris and how that ties into the political climate and French culture.
If you happen to know the artists responsible for any of these works, please drop me a comment below. I’d love to give credit where credit is due.
Thanks for going on this art walk with me, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Paris street art.
Paris Street Art FAQs
Where can I see the best street art in Paris?
The 13th arrondissement is one of the best places to begin, particularly around Butte-aux-Cailles, Boulevard Vincent-Auriol, Rue des Cinq-Diamants, Rue Buot, and Rue Barrault. Other major street-art neighborhoods include Belleville, Ménilmontant, Oberkampf, Montmartre, and parts of the 19th arrondissement.
Why is the 13th arrondissement famous for street art?
Support from the local government and galleries helped turn the 13th arrondissement into an enormous open-air gallery. The neighborhood contains both intimate stencils and mosaics around Butte-aux-Cailles and monumental murals covering entire buildings. The official Street Art 13 route includes dozens of large-scale works.
Where can I find the large murals in Paris?
Look along Boulevard Vincent-Auriol and the surrounding streets between Place d’Italie and Quai de la Gare. This area is known for enormous commissioned murals by French and international artists. Unlike the smaller works hidden around Butte-aux-Cailles, these murals are generally easy to spot from across the street.
Which Paris street artists should I look for?
Watch for work by Invader, JR, C215, Seth, Kashink, Miss. Tic, Levalet, Jérôme Mesnager, and Christian Guémy. The 13th arrondissement also contains major murals by international artists such as Shepard Fairey. Recognizing each artist’s style turns a walk into a very satisfying urban treasure hunt.
Can I see Invader mosaics in Paris?
Yes. Paris is Invader’s home base, and his colorful pixelated mosaics can be found throughout the city. Download the FlashInvaders app if you want to photograph the pieces, identify them, and collect points. Be warned: it is surprisingly easy to become emotionally invested in finding tiny ceramic aliens.
Can I see Banksy artwork in Paris?
Banksy has created work in Paris, but you should not plan a route around seeing a particular piece. Street art may be removed, damaged, covered, or questioned for authenticity. Consider any surviving Banksy work a bonus rather than a guaranteed stop.
Is Paris street art permanent?
Not always. Large commissioned murals may remain for years, while paste-ups, stencils, tags, and smaller installations can disappear overnight. A piece shown in this guide may have been covered or removed by the time you arrive. That constant change is frustrating for travel planning but also part of what makes street art interesting.
Can I explore Paris street art without a guided tour?
Absolutely. Use the addresses in this guide as starting points and create your own route through the 13th arrondissement. A self-guided walk is free and lets you stop whenever you want. Just remember to look up, down, around corners, and behind you—Parisian street artists do not always work at eye level.
Is a Paris street art tour worth it?
A guided tour is worthwhile if you want to understand the artists, techniques, political messages, and history behind the work. Guides can also identify small pieces that are easy to miss and explain what has changed recently. Confirm the route, duration, terrain, accessibility, and current price before booking.
How long does a Paris street art tour take?
Most guided tours last between 90 minutes and three hours. A self-guided exploration of Butte-aux-Cailles can be shortened to about an hour or expanded into a leisurely half-day. Leave extra time for photography, cafés, and repeatedly announcing, “Wait—I found another Invader.”
Is seeing the street art in Paris free?
Yes. Outdoor murals, mosaics, stencils, and paste-ups can be viewed without paying admission. Guided walking tours, workshops, galleries, and street-art exhibitions may charge a fee.
Is the Paris street art route wheelchair accessible?
Parts of the 13th arrondissement are manageable for wheelchair users, but Butte-aux-Cailles includes slopes, cobblestones, uneven pavement, narrow sidewalks, and occasional curb problems. Montmartre and Belleville are considerably hillier. Paris’s historic Métro network is also not reliably wheelchair accessible, so consider buses or an accessible taxi and check the Île-de-France Mobilités accessible route planner before leaving.
Which area is best for travelers with limited mobility or chronic illness?
The broad streets around Boulevard Vincent-Auriol may be easier than the smaller, uneven streets of Butte-aux-Cailles. The murals are large, visible from a distance, and spread along a relatively straightforward route. Divide the area into shorter sections and identify cafés or restrooms before beginning.
Is Montmartre a good place to see Paris street art?
Yes, but it can be physically demanding. Montmartre contains work by artists including Codex Urbanus, Gregos, Clet, C215, and Jef Aérosol, but it is also famous for steep streets, stairs, and uneven surfaces. Travelers with mobility limitations may find the 13th arrondissement easier to navigate.
What is the best time of day to photograph Paris street art?
Morning usually provides fewer pedestrians, softer light, and less traffic. Overcast days can also be excellent because they reduce harsh shadows and glare. Avoid photographing after dark unless you know the neighborhood and feel comfortable carrying camera equipment there.
Can I photograph street art in Paris?
Personal photography from public streets is generally part of the experience. Avoid blocking sidewalks, stepping into traffic, touching the artwork, or photographing residents through their windows. Artists retain rights to their work, so commercial reproduction or selling images may require permission.
Is graffiti legal in Paris?
Unauthorized painting or tagging is illegal, but not every piece of street art is unauthorized. Many of Paris’s enormous murals are commissioned by building owners, galleries, associations, or local government. The city also has changing walls and organized projects where artists are invited to create new work.
What is the difference between graffiti and street art?
Graffiti traditionally emphasizes lettering, names, and tags, while street art may include murals, portraits, stencils, mosaics, sculptures, paste-ups, and altered street signs. The categories overlap, and artists do not always appreciate outsiders trying to place everything into neat little boxes.
Is Paris street art suitable for children?
A street-art walk can be a fun family activity, especially for children who enjoy scavenger hunts and colorful murals. However, some pieces contain political messages, profanity, nudity, or disturbing imagery. Because the art changes regularly, parents cannot know exactly what will appear along the route.
What should I bring on a Paris street art walk?
Wear supportive shoes and bring water, sun protection, a charged phone, and a portable battery. Pack rain protection if the forecast looks questionable, and bring any medication or mobility equipment you may need. Save your map offline because tall buildings and narrow streets can occasionally make navigation annoying.
Can I take a street art tour in the rain?
Yes, although wet cobblestones and painted surfaces can become slippery. Light rain may produce wonderfully reflective photographs and smaller crowds. During heavy rain, postpone the walk or shorten the route—no mural is worth reenacting a low-budget disaster movie on a Paris sidewalk.
Is it safe to explore Paris street art alone?
The major street-art districts are active urban neighborhoods rather than isolated attractions. Use normal city precautions, watch your belongings, and remain aware of traffic while taking photographs. Explore during daylight if traveling alone and avoid becoming so focused on a mural that your phone or camera wanders away without you.
How can I tell who created a piece of Paris street art?
Look for a signature, social-media handle, symbol, or recurring visual style. Image searches and street-art apps may help, as can a knowledgeable guide. If you share an artist’s work online and know their identity, credit and tag them whenever possible.
Where can I buy street art in Paris?
Street-art galleries, artist studios, exhibitions, and authorized online shops sell prints and original work. Look for galleries connected to the artists featured in the 13th arrondissement and other street-art districts. Buying directly from an artist or reputable gallery supports the people whose work brought you there in the first place.
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Jenn Lloyd is a disabled travel blogger and television writer based in Los Angeles. After a successful career writing for shows like KC Undercover and The Thundermans, she launched Sick Girl Travels to share her experiences navigating the world with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and fibromyalgia. Having visited 40 U.S. states, 39 countries, and all 7 continents, Jenn offers inclusive travel guides with accessibility tips for those with mobility challenges. Her work has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post, and Consumer Reports. When not traveling, she enjoys fostering dogs, photographing street art, and spending time with her French bulldog, Miss Madelyn Pew.
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