Is That Really Art?

I love Instagram. I have found many amazing things down that deep dark rabbit hole. I have created connections with people I never thought I could. There is a certain charm about Instagram that makes it easily accessible to connect with people of all sorts of background.

One of those connections is an account called Women Of Paris. It is an organization that provides various walking tours that are solely dedicated to women’s history and influence in Paris. Heidi is the brains and braun behind this mega-babe adventure and I had the pleasure of tagging along on a tour that featured women in street art.

Street art is something that I have never really taken the time to think about or admire. It’s everywhere in Paris; you can’t miss it. There are many many different forms of it all around. I learned to look up and down while walking through the streets because art is sometimes in the most unlikely places. When you find something somewhere you weren’t expecting it’s like a tiny little version of Christmas morning, an amazing little present you were least expecting.

Street art comes in all different shapes and sizes, formats and mediums. For example, the artist Intra Larue, uses a fragile plaster (this way when people try to steal one of her artworks, they simply crumble to bits) to make a model of her breast, decorates them to her liking, and then places them around Paris in sometimes the most inconspicuous place. This started as a joke, but has become (to me at least) an icon of Paris. Free the nipple in a literal form!

Rue des Cinq Diamants, La Butte Aux Cailles.

Can you spot the Intra Larue piece in the above photo? Hint: check out them middle picture below.

There’s a whole other world if you just look up.

All these (and so many more) were found on the Rue Des Cinq Diamants in an area known as the Butte-Aux-Cailles in the 13th. If you get off at the Place d’Italie metro stop and walk through the market (if it is open) up to the bottom of the street. There’s an Intra Larue piece that will be on your left, up on the wall. If you’ve found it, start your journey there. Trust me. Take your time walking up the hill and get lost in the winding streets in this little neighborhood staring at the art displayed on the walls.

If you’re looking for another amazing experience, check out Rue Dénoyez in the 20th, the Belleville area. This street is literally covered head to toe with all different types of street art. Definitely make a point to stop here if this is your cup of tea. Make sure you make it up the the Belvedere de Bellville to take in more amazing street art as well a most magnificent view of Paris.