Originating in the 1960s in the United States, street art wasn’t always considered art in the strict sense of the word. Long regarded as vandalism, street art has taken various forms: graffiti, tags, collages, stencils, murals, stickers…It wasn’t until the 1980s that this art form arrived in France. Today, street art is fully integrated into the urban landscape—so much so that it can be found in abundance in certain neighborhoods of Paris. Here are our favorite spots to see street art for free in Paris!
4,000 m², 500 street artists from 28 different countries, including big names like BANKSY, CHANOIR, INVADER, JR, JONONE, KAWS, MISS TIC, MR CHAT… In short, a lineup of spray-paint and stencil masters who answered the call of DIZE and SNAKE and have taken over a unique space in La Défense with tags, murals, installations, paintings, and digital artworks. The best part: it’s designed for the whole family, and you have until June to visit this XXL exhibition!
In the 14th arrondissement, this mural graffiti workshop helps you awaken the artist within. Transform the city’s walls into a blank canvas and let your creativity run wild. It’s your chance to dive into the vibrant street art scene and leave your mark on Paris.
This beautiful street is famous for its colorful murals and graffiti, which cover nearly every surface of some buildings. The art is updated fairly frequently, so you’ll always be amazed by the constantly evolving new works, with something new to discover every time.
Canal Saint-Denis (19th arrondissement)
What could be more idyllic than a stroll along the Canal Saint-Denis? Here, you’ll find numerous murals and works of art created by local artists and collectives.
Boulevard Vincent Auriol (13th arrondissement)
This boulevard is a veritable open-air museum featuring monumental murals created by internationally renowned artists such as Shepard Fairey, Invader, C215, and Seth.
How can we talk about street art without mentioning this picturesque neighborhood in the 13th arrondissement? La Butte-aux-Cailles is dotted with magnificent murals and graffiti that add color and character to the neighborhood. It was here, for example, that two murals painted in 2024 were selected as among the best in France.
Canal de l’Ourcq (19th arrondissement)
Along the Ourcq Canal, you’ll find some must-see street art gems, from La Villette all the way to Bobigny and beyond! There, you’ll see works by Da Cruz, Lask, and Shaka, created using various street art techniques. The Rue de l’Ourcq is also famous for its monumental, brightly colored murals!
Montmartre, the quintessential historic artists’ neighborhood, is home to numerous works of street art hidden in its narrow streets. There, you’ll see Gregos’s mischievous faces, the aliens from Invaders, and even Swed’s hyper-realistic works! Take the opportunity to check out the “I Love You Wall, ” a perfect ode to love to end your stroll on a high note!
Around the Centre Pompidou, you’ll find iconic Parisian works such as Jeff Aérosol’s famous “Chuuuttt!!!,” murals by Shepard Fairey, charming collages, and astonishing sculptures.
Spot 13, the open-air gallery (13th arrondissement)
To be sure to see street art all year round, head to Spot 13: THE place for street art lovers. Here, the murals change regularly, and artists can freely express their creativity. You’ll love strolling through this open-air gallery.
The Saint-Blaise neighborhood (20th arrondissement)
The Saint-Blaise neighborhood is well known for its impressive murals! Kashink, Théo Haggaï, and Jérôme Mesnager have all created magnificent works there. The most iconic? Undoubtedly the one by Seth, depicting Billal Berreni, aka Zoo Project— a world-renowned artist (and native of the neighborhood) who sadly passed away at the age of 23.