The Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Rodin, and the Museum of Modern Art aren’t the only places where you can witness art in Paris. The entire city is a canvas for contemporary artists. Simply put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes and embark on an exciting journey as you discover the best street art in Paris.

Why is Street Art in Paris Unique?

Paris’s street arts are quite closely related to the history of the nation, making it a very local experience for visitors.
The street art of Paris says a lot about the time this movement began, that is the 1960s. It is a study in avant-garde art.
Stenciling is a technique that was brought to street art for the first time by contemporary artists in Paris in the 1980s, inspiring Banksy in the process.
Since street arts have primarily been a way of expression for the common masses, street art in Paris provides an intimate insight into the life of Paris today.
Such has been the popularity and influence of street art in Paris that the government has started commissioning pieces of art now.

Top 15 Places with the Best Street Art in Paris

The state of street art in Paris was never more vibrant and active than it is now. The number of street artists and street art in the city exploded in the mid-1980s. Since then, the art movement has flourished both on and off the streets of Paris. Here are some of the best places to find street art in Paris:

1. Rue Saint-Maur

The 10th and 11th arrondissements' 2 km-long street is suited for artistic experimentation. If you look up from the sidewalk and look at the walls, you'll notice the basic characteristics of Parisian street art.

Famous Art: Black-and-white portraits by Shepard Fairey, Kashinks colorful pieces

Location: Rue Saint-Maur. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Parmentier - République bus stop

2. Rue Oberkampf

If you want to combine the two, the Rue Oberkampf on the 11th is an excellent bet for a hectic night out and witnessing street art. On slivers of buildings, metal shutters, and street furniture, art appears on a regular basis.

Famous Art: Art by Le Mur and Jerome Mesnager

Location: Rue Oberkampf. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Parmentier - République bus stop

3. Rue Germaine Tailleferre

Rue Germaine Tailleferre is a new street in Paris. On one side of the street, an uninterrupted stretch of the wall several hundred meters long is covered in art by some of the neighborhood's most well-known artists.

Famous Art: Art by Marko93

Location: Rue Germaine Tailleferre. Find on map

Getting There: Take a metro and get down at Ourcq metro station

4. Rue Laurence Savart

The Rue Laurence Savart, a small street in the 20th arrondissement that is impenetrable even to Google Maps' keen gaze, has long been a favorite haunt of artists. It has seen over 70 years of street art fame.

Famous Art: Art by Mosko et associés

Location: Rue Laurence Savart. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Pyrénées - Ménilmontant bus stop

5. Bd de la Villette

Lazoo painted the large modern fresco overlooking a community park on the Boulevard de la Villette, the second of the projects finished with money drawn from the Budget Participatif, in July 2016.

Famous Art: Art by 2shy

Location: Bd de la Villette. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Colonel Fabien bus stop

6. Rue Riquet

In December 2015, a 500m-long street art wall (the longest dedicated space in Paris) was created on a bridge over the train tracks heading into and out of Gare du Nord in celebration of Rosa Parks' life and achievements.

Famous Art: Art by Kashink and Bastardilla

Location: Rue Riquet. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Riquet bus stop

7. Rue des Cascades

By name and by nature, the Rue des Cascades (Road of the Waterfalls) is easily one of the most lovely streets in the 20th arrondissement, and it recently received a work of street art to match.

Famous Art: Art by James Cochran

Location: Rue des Cascades. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Jourdain bus stop

8. Rue Ordener

Local graffiti artists flocked to the enormous wall on Rue Ordener, which conceals the view of the decommissioned SNCF depot-turned seasonal venue, Grand Train, back in the 18th century.

Famous Art: Art by Kouka

Location: Rue Ordener. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Jules Joffrin bus stop

9. Rue de l'Ourcq

The entire length of the Canal de l'Ourcq is essentially one big Mur D'expression. On purpose-built walls or any other surface that can accommodate painting, works by a wide range of artists can be discovered.

Famous Art: Art by Dacruz

Location: Rue de l'Ourcq. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Flandre bus stop

10. Rue de l'Elysée Ménilmontant

In Lyon, in 2005, a collective, which includes street artists, painters, singers, and videographers, was founded. Its graffiti component, EvazéSir, is responsible for the works in their own style that can be found at Rue de l'Elysée Ménilmontant.

Famous Art: Art by EvazéSir

Location: Rue de l'Elysée Ménilmontant. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Julien Lacroix bus stop

11. Butte-aux-Cailles

This otherwise quiet and sleepy neighborhood is known for its art-deco buildings, peaceful, green villas, and neighborhood cafe culture, but it also has an exceptionally high concentration of open-air art.

Famous Art: Art by Miss Tic

Location: Butte-aux-Cailles. Find on map

Getting There: Take a metro and get down at Corvisart metro station

12. Vitry-Sur-Seine

The streets of Vitry-sur-Seine, in the south of Paris, are home to a lively street art culture on the outskirts of the city. Christian Guémy, a well-known street artist, established his workshop in the area in 2007.

Famous Art: Art by Cope2 and Bebar

Location: Vitry-Sur-Seine. Find on map

Getting There: Take a train and get down at Vitry-sur-Seine train station

13. The Centre Pompidou

Numerous outdoor murals are located near the Centre Pompidou, which is a hub of art and culture in and of itself. The classic Jef Aérosol artwork, which depicts a man who may be mistaken for Dali, is one of them.

Famous Art: Art by Jef Aérosol

Location: The Centre Pompidou. Find on map

Getting There: Take a metro and get down at Rambuteau metro station

14. Igor Stravinsky Square

If you've ever been to Paris, you've heard of the famous historic Marais district. This area of Paris, located between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, is one of the most active street art spotting hotspots in Paris.

Famous Art: Art by Shepard Fairey

Location: Igor Stravinsky Square. Find on map

Getting There: Take a bus and get down at the Hôtel de Ville bus stop

15. Pl. de la Bataille de Stalingrad

If you're ever near the Stalingrad metro station, it's worth taking a short detour to see this stunning painting. Yann Lazoo, a street artist, created this magnificent sculpture at 238 Boulevard de la Villette.

Famous Art: Art by Shepard Fairey

Location: Pl. de la Bataille de Stalingrad. Find on map

Getting There: Take a metro and get down at the Stalingrad metro station

Most Famous Murals in Paris

1. Il faut se méfier des mots

This is a 1993 work by French artist Ben that translates to "Words must be used with caution." It includes a blue-clad dummy standing on a wooden platform beneath a massive chalkboard.

Location: Rue de Belleville. Find on map

2. Fresco by Jérôme Mesnager

This enormous fresco is one of the most iconic works of street art in Paris. It is also located at a convenient location for tourists, a short walk from the Henri Chevreau bus stop.

Location: 68 Rue de Ménilmontant. Find on maps

3. Murals by Miss Tic

Miss Tic, a prominent French street artist who has been working in the area for over two decades, has created various figures and murals at Butte aux Cailles. Look for her work at Rue des Cinq Diamants as well.

Location: Rue des cinq Diamants. Find on map

4. Murals by Jef Aérosol

On Butte Aux Cailles, you'll find works by renowned Parisian street artist Jef Aérosol. His frequent depictions of children playing in urban surroundings have a nostalgic and pleasant quality to them.

Location: Butte-aux-Cailles. Find on map

5. Mural of Serge Gainsbourg

On the left side of the Seine, in the wealthy Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, a magnificent commemorative mural of French musical legend Serge Gainsbourg stands in front of his house.

Location: 5bis Rue de Verneuil. Find on map

6. M.U.R. Space

A modulable and managed space run by an association named M.U.R. is devoted to local street artists at the corner of Rue Oberkampf and Rue Saint-Maur. The show varies constantly, making this a particularly interesting location.

Location: 109 Rue Saint-Maur. Find on map

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Street Art in Paris

What are the best places to find street art in Paris?

The best places to find street art in Paris are Belleville, Butte aux Cailles, and Oberkampf Area.

What are the most popular places for street art in Paris?

The most popular places for street art in Paris are Central Paris, Charonne, and Stalingrad.

What are the most famous murals in Paris?

The most famous murals are the ones by Jef Aérosol at Buttes Aux Cailles and the mural of Serge Gainsbourg.

Where is the street art in Paris?

Street art can be found all over Paris, but if you want to make the best use of your time, you should head to the 19th and 20th arrondissements.

Is street art legal in Paris?

Yes, street art is legal in Paris in designated areas of the city.

What is the most famous piece of art in Paris?

The most famous piece of street art in Paris is possibly the enormous fresco by Jérôme Mesnager at Bd de Ménilmontant.

Why is the street art in Paris unique?

The street art in Paris is unique because it is quite relevant to the city and the nation. Paris’s vibrant street art scene is also responsible for a lot of pathbreaking ideas that are now in use throughout Europe.

Will I find street art in Paris?

Yes, you can find street art all over Paris. 13th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements are especially great for spotting new street art.

Is the street art in Paris good?

Yes, Paris is one of the best places in Europe to discover street art. Some of the best contemporary artists in the world have artworks painted on the streets of Paris.