13th arrondissement: massive murals

The 13th arrondissement is renowned for its monumental street art. XXL-format works produced as part of Street Art 13 feature on the district’s building façades, including many by big-name artists. From place d’Italie to the quai de la Gare, the Street Art 13 trail includes some fifty spectacular frescos, most along boulevard Vincent-Auriol and the surrounding streets.

International names abound, including US artist Obey, made world-famous by his “Hope” poster of Barack Obama. Among his creations for Street Art 13 is a Marianne - the personification of the French Republic - in memory of the victims of the 13 November terrorist attack. There is also a pixelated Dr House by Invader at the Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, the signature cat of C215, a ballerina by New York duo Faile, and one of the biggest frescos in Europe by Portuguese artist Pantonio. These works are also visible from the over-ground trains on metro line 6. The works are lit at night, so you can even admire them after dark.

In recent years, the 13th arrondissement of Paris has become the hotspot for street artists and is now a veritable open air museum! In the vicinity of the Nationale metro station, on the Rue Jeanne d'Arc and Boulevard Vincent Auriol, you can see more than a dozen frescoes! The American artist Shepard Fairey has created several of them, including one with the French motto: ‘Liberté, égalité, fraternité’.

Just next to it is a mosaic several metres high, by French artist Invader, representing the TV drama series House.

You only have to stroll around the area to come face to face with a masterpiece like the monumental mural titled Embrace and Fight depicting two men in 18th-century costume, created by Irish artist Conor Harrington.