In the heart of Paris’s 13th arrondissement lies a truly unique neighborhood – Butte-aux-Cailles. Despite its closeness to the city center, it maintains a village-like atmosphere with narrow cobbled streets, low houses, and greenery climbing along the walls. Here you will not find wide Parisian boulevards or luxury boutiques – but rather small charming alleys, local cafés, and an intimate setting that invites slow walking and quiet discovery.
A Center for Street Art
Over the years, Butte-aux-Cailles has become one of Paris’s most important hubs for street art. The walls serve as a living canvas for local and international artists, and the streets function as an open-air gallery that constantly changes.
The special charm of the neighborhood lies in its surprises: around every corner, on the wall of an old shop or even on an electrical box, new works appear that are replaced every few weeks.
A History with a Unique Identity
The name Butte-aux-Cailles (“Hill of the Quails”) dates back to the 16th century, named after the Cailles family who lived in the area. In the past, this was a relatively isolated place with farmland and natural springs. Today it is part of the 13th arrondissement but still preserves an independent character – a village within the city. This semi-rural, semi-urban atmosphere attracted communities of artists, students, and young people, and it has been maintained thanks to residents who fought against large development projects that threatened to change its spirit.
If you want to experience Parisian street art at its best – not only monumental murals but also small details, political messages, and dialogues between artists – this is the neighborhood for you. It is easily accessible by metro (Place d’Italie or Corvisart stations), and it is worth dedicating at least two hours for a walking tour, with a camera ready in hand.
In Short
Butte-aux-Cailles is a hidden gem in Paris – a place where time seems to slow down and art is free to flourish. Whether you are a seasoned graffiti hunter or a traveler seeking a different kind of experience, this is one of the city’s most authentic and inspiring neighborhoods to explore.
Street Art as Part of Local Identity
In Butte-aux-Cailles, street art is an inseparable part of local identity. The walls here are not just concrete surfaces – they serve as a visual diary of the city, a place where artists express thoughts, social critique, and personal imagination.
Unlike the large murals in the 13th arrondissement, here you will find more intimate works: sharp stencils, paste-ups, handwritten texts, and small illustrations hidden on doors, windows, and electrical boxes.
Artistic Diversity
What makes the neighborhood stand out is its variety. Alongside iconic works by Miss.Tic, featuring female figures and poetic, bold phrases, you can find Seth Globepainter’s dreamlike childlike figures and Levalet’s humorous, realistic paste-ups. Around them, younger artists add vibrant colors and fantastic imagery, creating a fascinating mix of political, personal, and playful street art.
The visual language of Butte-aux-Cailles is constantly changing – a work seen here last month may already be gone today, replaced by a new statement. This is the beauty of the place: a living, breathing open gallery that tells a different story of Paris and its creators each time you visit.
Among the artists whose works appear in the series of posts on street art and graffiti in Paris: SETH (Julien Malland), C215 (Christian Guémy), Vhils (Alexandre Farto), KASHINK (Maëva Martinez), Vale_Stencil (Valérian Lenud), The Pop Suréalist, The End of Animals (THE END), L’Empreinte Jo V (La Dactylo), IPDO (I Pixel di Oplontis), Mathieu 1976 (Mathieu Dussaucy), DJERADI LUDOVIC (Ludovic Djeradi), JR, Invader, Miss.Tic, Jef Aérosol, Blek Le Rat, Speedy Graphito, Hopare, Astro, Ardif, Ludo, Levalet (Charles Leval), Jo Di Bona, Monsieur Chat (Thoma Vuille), Zevs, Combo CK (Combo Culture Kidnapper), Alëxone Dizac, Tilt, Lek & Sowat, L’Atlas, Romain Froquet, Philippe Baudelocque, Jérôme Mesnager, Vinie Graffiti, Kalouf, Maye, A-MO, Clet Abraham, OakOak, Ender, Mosko et Associés, Codex Urbanus, Ella & Pitr, Dourone, Shaka (Marchal Mithouard), Raphael Federici, Pboy, Sismikazot, Kurar, Gregos, Tarek, Jace, Nasty, Doudou Style, FKDL, RNST, Zepha, Jerk 45, Onemizer, Bault, Polar Bear, Céz Art, Guy Denning, SP38, Zeer, Dume, Tanc, Kaldea, Antistatik, Reso, Woizo, MadC, Jober, Abys, Guaté Mao, Psyckoze, MonkeyBird Crew, Mantra, Aude Villerouge, Loraine Motti, Jean Faucheur, Jibé, Bom.K, Gris1, Aéro, JBC, Le MoDuLe De ZeeR, D*Face, Shepard Fairey, Banksy, 2Shy, Aroe, Babs, Bates, Brusk, Can2, Case Maclaim, Chanoir, Create, Darco, Dize, Gyz, Insane 51, Jaba, Jonone, Katre, Marko 93, Noé2One Mizer, Pro176, Remio, Schuck2, Snake, T-Kid, Tony Noel, Vision, Zenoy
Street Art in Le Marais Paris
Street Art Along Canal de l’Ourcq
LUDOVIC – Urban Chaos
Mathieu 1976 – Angels in Paris
IPDO – The Smurfs on the Wall
The Women of L’Empreinte Jo V
The Pop Suréalist
KASHINK – Paris’ Female Voice
Spot 13 – Paris
La Promenade Plantée – Paris
Street Art Avenue Paris
Street Art in Montmartre
The Giant Mural Project in Paris
THE END OF ANIMALS
The Belleville Character
VHILS – Carved in Stone
59 Rivoli – Alternative Art in Paris
The Children of SETH
Vale_Stencil – Colorful Stencil Art


