Paris 13th: XXL Street Art Tour with Awarded Guide

Summary

Paris street art tour in 13th arrondissement with mural stories and local insights

You’ll wander Paris’ 13th arrondissement alongside a small group and an award-winning guide who knows every mural’s secret history. Expect laughter, unexpected details about neo-muralism, and sensory moments — like touching rain-cooled walls or catching paint smells on the breeze. By tour’s end, you might see city streets with new eyes.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that happened wasn’t even about the murals — it was our guide, Camille, waving us over from outside a boulangerie with a coffee in hand. “You’ll need energy for all these giants,” she said, grinning. I liked her right away. The group was small (maybe ten of us?), which made it feel more like tagging along with friends than anything official. We started right under this towering piece by Obey — Shepard Fairey — and I swear you could smell the fresh paint from two blocks away.

Camille didn’t just point at walls; she told stories about why the 13th arrondissement became this open-air gallery. Something about how Marie du 13eme and projects like Boulevard Paris 13 brought artists from everywhere — C215, Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada, even some names I couldn’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried to say one in Spanish). She’d pause mid-sentence if someone biked past or if a neighbor leaned out a window to watch us staring up at their building. There’s this moment where you’re looking up at colors splashed across concrete and suddenly realize you’re standing in someone’s everyday life.

I kept running my hand along the rough wall near one mural — it was still cool from last night’s rain. Camille explained how each artist uses different techniques: spray cans, stencils, sometimes even brushes as wide as my arm. She had a way of making you notice things you’d never spot on your own, like faded outlines beneath new layers or tiny signatures tucked into corners. There was one mural so big we had to cross the street just to see the whole thing; I remember thinking it looked almost gentle against the grey Paris sky.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel much — but walking those streets with someone who knew every backstory made me see Paris differently. Even hours later, on the metro back toward Gare d’Austerlitz, I kept replaying Camille’s stories in my head. The city felt bigger somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore neo-muralism in Paris 13th

• Meet official award-winning guide
• Learn about neo-muralism movement
• Contemplate murals by global artists
• Discover stories behind mural walls
• Study techniques used on streets
• Hear facts from passionate expert

Top questions

How long is the Murals XXL Street Art Tour?

The duration isn’t specified exactly but expect a standard walking tour pace through the 13th arrondissement.

Is this Paris street art tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour route.

Who leads the Murals XXL Street Art Tour?

An official guide with at least six years studying neo-muralism leads each group; guides are award-winning professionals.

What artists are featured on this Paris mural tour?

You’ll see works by Obey (Shepard Fairey), C215, Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada, and other influential contemporary muralists.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 15 guests per event for an intimate experience.

Where does this street art tour take place?

The entire tour takes place in Paris’ 13th arrondissement (Paris 13e).

Is public transportation nearby for this mural tour?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the meeting point and along the route.

What’s included

Your walk includes guidance from an award-winning professional deeply involved in Paris’ street art scene—plus plenty of time to ask questions and snap photos as you explore murals commissioned by Marie du 13eme and projects like Boulevard Paris 13 together with your small group.