What They’re Saying About “As Seen on the Streets of Paris”

I see the book as a tool to empower readers to engage more actively with urban art, and therefore -ultimately- with the public space. By offering historical insights—both on street art and the  neighborhoods where it thrives—along  with artist stories and a glimpse into the creative process, the book aims to enhance the experience of wandering through the city rather than constrain it. It encourages readers to explore in their own unique way, letting the streets surprise them and using the book as a source of inspiration. The goal is to ignite curiosity, spark discovery, and empower readers to create their own psycho-geographical maps of the city, enriched by a deeper understanding of the art and its context. It’s about enhancing the journey, not replacing the spontaneity that’s intrinsic to street art.

Giulia blocal, in conversation with pedro soares neves

Giulia also explores the paradoxical relationship between street art and gentrification, a dynamic that plays out in urban areas worldwide. While street art can be a powerful form of resistance, critiquing gentrification and displacement, it can also serve as a marker of change in neighborhoods. “Murals can resist or even critique gentrification, but they can also mark changes in a neighborhood,” Giulia noted. Large-scale murals often appear in neighborhoods undergoing transformation, and while these works may challenge the forces of gentrification, they can also highlight the very changes taking place in those areas. Giulia’s reflection on this dual role underscores the complex interplay between art and urban development in a city like Paris, where history, culture, and gentrification are constantly in flux.

sage helene, UP mag

A guide we wholeheartedly recommend to anyone curious about exploring the city’s walls through the eyes of one of Europe’s sharpest street art observers. Since 2011, Giulia has been documenting street art across Europe via her blog, BLocal. Her latest work is more than a book—it’s a street-savvy, anti-touristy map of Paris, born of real encounters and sustained fieldwork. No filters. No algorithms. Just careful, deliberate exploration.

Greta finelli, Le Grand Jeu

What sets this book apart from other street art guides is its commitment to presenting an authentic, non-touristy view of Paris. The inclusion of off-the-beaten-path recommendations ensures that readers discover a side of the city rarely covered in conventional travel books. Giulia’s deep connections within the street art community allow her to provide exclusive insights that only a true insider could offer.

Sami Wakim, Street art united states

Quando vado alla scoperta di qualche nuova città ci sono un paio di blog che spulcio, e il suo è senza dubbio uno di questi. Quando cerco informazioni su festival o artisti, il suo sito è sempre quello che compare tra i primi della ricerca dopo avere inserito qualche parolina magica su Google. Quando voglio saperne di più, con un racconto per messaggio o con un CS da pubblicare, so che posso fare affidamento su di lei. Quando decido di pubblicare le foto social su una città mai visitata prima, lei ne ha sempre una sfilza da smistare, con tanto di descrizione e commento a lato.
Per fortuna, da oggi, quando vorrò anche sfogliare una guida turistica, soprattutto in versione Art Edition, della città di Parigi, la sua sarà l’unica su cui cadrà la mia scelta.

clara amodeo, another scratch in the wall

Interviews reveal the gender dynamics within the evolving Parisian scene. “Back in the day in France, there were basically two main trends for female street artists,” explains Kashink, one of the featured artists. “On one hand, you had the graffiti writers, who were all about tagging and vandalism, just like the guys. And on the other, there were figurative artists focused on drawing, like Miss Van and Fafi, who specialized in very feminine, girly figures,” she said.

J. scott orr, Bscene Zine