Authorized Art on a Monumental Scale
Unlike underground graffiti, here we are talking about large, officially approved projects. Some walls reach heights of 30 or even 40 meters – creations impossible to miss even from afar. Yet within the smaller alleys and quieter neighborhoods, the intimate side of street art remains alive – stencils, paste-ups, and protest writings.
An Open-Air Gallery
A walk through streets such as Boulevard Vincent Auriol, Rue Jeanne d’Arc, or Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui reveals a stunning lineup of giant works, including:
• Obey (Shepard Fairey) – with clear political messages.
• Seth Globepainter – with colorful childlike figures that look inward to imaginary worlds.
Each wall is a statement, and moving between them feels like walking through a modern museum – one without a roof and without an entry ticket.
A Fusion of Local and Global
The 13th arrondissement has succeeded in creating a unique model where local and international artists collaborate. The residents themselves take great pride in the artworks, seeing them as an added value that enhances quality of life and the neighborhood’s image.
This is a space where street art is not seen as vandalism but as an integral part of the city’s official landscape.
The meeting between the local and the global is clearly felt: alongside well-known French artists, street creators from Chile, Argentina, England, and Japan also come here. Each brings their own language, yet all engage in dialogue with the same vast urban setting.
Beyond the Art – A Vibrant, Living District
It is important to remember that the 13th arrondissement is not just a gallery of murals. It is one of the most colorful and diverse areas of the city. Here lies one of the largest Asian communities in Europe, with a rich Asian food market, restaurants, and shops mainly along Avenue de Choisy and Avenue d’Ivry.
Between murals, you can stop for Vietnamese pho, Chinese dim sum, or Japanese sushi – a culinary experience that adds another layer to exploring the neighborhood.
The district also has a large shopping mall, allowing you to combine art and shopping in one visit.
A Constantly Changing Scene
One of the most fascinating aspects of street art is its temporary nature. A painting you see today in the 13th arrondissement may disappear tomorrow – erased, repainted, or replaced by something new. This is part of the neighborhood’s charm: it is always in motion, always changing.
Photographers, bloggers, and tourists return here again and again to see what’s new. It is a place where the street itself tells the city’s evolving story.
Getting There and How to Explore
The 13th arrondissement is easily accessible by metro. It is recommended to start your visit at Boulevard Vincent Auriol, walk along it, and wander through the side streets to discover hidden gems.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss the 13th Arrondissement
The 13th offers a completely different experience from classical Paris: modern, international, bold, and colorful. It is the place to see street art at its finest and to discover the Paris of locals – the one that lies beyond the tourist icons.
Among the giant murals, neighborhood cafés, and rich culinary scene, this is a district that breathes creativity. Every visit is a meeting with a renewed, vibrant, and inspiring Paris.
The 13th arrondissement is a must-see for every street art lover and for anyone who wants to experience Paris from its most contemporary perspective.
It is an open-air, colorful, multicultural museum that tells a different story of the city – one of creativity, community, and life.
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


