Embark on an Extraordinary Journey to Discover Offbeat Paris
Are you ready to kick off the New Year with an unforgettable adventure? Join me for an intimate and unconventional exploration of Paris that goes beyond the ordinary. Let’s celebrate our shared passions for street art, offbeat travel, and wonder as we dive into the heart of the city’s vibrant urban art scene.
About the Experience:
- When: 1st – 6th January 2024
- Where: The dynamic streets of Paris and beyond.
- Duration: 6 experiences of 8 hours each, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Early Bird Registration until November 15th: 130€ per person + 4% taxes.
- Price (after November 15th): 150€ per person + 4% taxes.
- Book for multiple days and enjoy additional savings!
What Awaits You
This isn’t your typical group trip – it’s an opportunity to experience Paris together with me and a like-minded community of travelers. Here’s what you can expect:
Discover Urban Art Gems: Explore renowned and hidden neighborhoods that pulse with street art.
Gallery & Museum Visits: Immerse yourself in urban art exhibitions at specialized galleries and museums. Gain insights into the diverse expressions of the Parisian urban art scene and meet the curators that animate Paris’ lively urban art scene.
Alternative Spaces: Dive into the heart of alternative culture by visiting intriguing and lesser-known creative spaces.
Cultural Connections: Engage with the many faces of Parisian culture that often escape the tourist trail.
Hidden Gems Exploration: Wander off the beaten path to uncover Paris’ best-kept secrets and lesser-known treasures.
Epicurean Delights: Indulge in the pleasures of French cuisine and savor the richness of local flavors. Enjoy exquisite wines and culinary delights.
An Exclusive Opportunity: But here’s what truly sets this experience apart – this is not a “group tour” where you follow the herd like typical tourists. Instead, you’re invited to join me as I conduct in-depth research for Blocal’s street art blog. Participants will have the unique chance to explore sights with me, be the first to benefit from my meticulously curated offbeat travel itineraries, and peek behind the scenes of the Blocal project.
Book Your Spot
- Early Bird Registrations (before November 15th): 130€ per person + 4% taxes
- Price (after November 15th): 150€ per person + 4% taxes.
- Special Discount: Book for multiple days and enjoy additional savings!
The Promenades
Scroll down for the daily itineraries! I’ve sprinkled some details to really spark your imagination, but just so you know, there are tons of surprises and quirky spots I’m keeping under wraps until the trip. The only way you can find out about those secret spots is by joining me on my exploration of Paris ;-)
- Beyond Paris: Vitry-sur-Seine & Versailles (January 1st) – tot. 11 KM
- Bohemian Heights: Montparnasse & Montmartre (January 2nd) – tot. 13 KM
- Off the Grid: Ménilmontant, Belleville, and an urban art center just outside the city (January 3rd) – tot. 13 KM
- The City Center: Le Marais, Oberkampf, and a must-see street art exhibition (January 4th) – tot. 15 KM
- Along the Canals: Canal de Saint Denis, Canal de L’Ourcq, and a pinch of urbex (January 5th) – tot. 13 KM
- XXL Murals: From Bel-Air to Butte aux Cailles (January 6th) – tot. 13 KM
Book Your Offbeat Paris Adventure Now!
A Detailed Look at The Promenades
Beyond Paris: Vitry-sur-Seine & Versailles.
When: Monday, January 1st | From 10 AM to 6 PM | Tot. 11 KM
Our journey begins in Vitry-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris famous for its diverse collection of urban art, which includes everything from posters to stunning large-scale murals. Vitry-sur-Seine boasts hundreds of urban artworks scattered throughout the town, and we’ll thoroughly explore this charming enclave.
After enjoying a delightful lunch, our next destination will be the captivating town of Versailles, where we’ll bypass the typical tourist crowds queuing for the castle and instead seek out murals crafted by renowned urban artists like Eron, Aryz, and Telmo Miel.
Bohemian Heights: Montparnasse & Montmartre.
When: Tuesday, January 2nd | From 10 AM to 6 PM | Tot. 13 KM
We’ll meet at the base of the tower painted by Keith Haring, and explore the charming Montparnasse neighborhood, renowned for its rich history in the arts and intellectual circles, particularly during the 20th century. Numerous street art pieces in this area pay homage to writers, poets, singers, painters, directors and other artists who once lived and worked here. Some of them are buried there too, at the iconic Montparnasse Cemetery, which we will visit.
We will walk our way towards Saint-Germain-des-Prés, offering more street art delights and a visit to an urban contemporary art gallery. There, the curator will personally welcome us and guide us through the current exhibition.
Strolling along the Seine, we’ll visit Paris’ floating urban art museum, whose unconventional architecture embodies the paradox of a confined space showcasing artworks that originate from the open streets.
We’ll enjoy an iconic crêpe in a cozy crêperie and make our way to Montmartre, immersing ourselves in its captivating street art scene. Our journey will include a visit to the beautiful Montmartre Cemetery and a delightful stop at an urban winery, alongside more surprises.
Off the Grid: Ménilmontant, Belleville, and an urban art center just outside the city.
When: Wednesday, January 3rd | From 10 AM to 6 PM | Tot. 13 KM
Our rendezvous will be in a charming, tourist-free area in the 20th district, a tranquil haven surrounded by lush greenery. From here, we’ll embark on a journey to uncover the unique street art of Ménilmontant, a neighborhood known for its vibrant creations by local artists.
In addition to our street art exploration, we’ll meander through a famous cemetery of monumental significance and stroll along the tracks of an abandoned railway, a nostalgic relic of days gone by, whose graffiti is still very present.
Following a Vietnamese lunch in the multicultural neighborhood of Belleville, we’ll delve into the local street art scene, treat ourselves to an unusual view of the Eiffel Tower, and immerse ourselves in a quaint enclave of 19th-century Parisian cottages—a true hidden gem.
Later, we’ll take the metro to reach Pantin, the so-called “Brooklyn of Paris,” situated just on the outskirts of the city. There, we’ll immerse ourselves in a lively urban hub and expand our exploration to include Romainville. Here, the organizers of the excellent Quai36 urban art project will welcome us into their exhibition space exclusively dedicated to urban art and guide us through the current exhibition.
Wrapping up the day, we’ll savor a glass of wine at a post-industrial cultural space situated along the canal, ingeniously repurposed from former general stores.
The City Center: Le Marais, Oberkampf, and a must-see Street Art Exhibition.
When: Thursday, January 4th | From 10 AM to 6 PM | Tot. 15 KM
We’ll meet in the vibrant Le Marais neighborhood, where a captivating array of urban artworks eagerly await our exploration. From C215’s stencil series “Le Grand Siècle du Marais” to awe-inspiring large-scale murals, we’ll immerse ourselves in the pioneering works of the French street art movement.
Our artistic journey in this neighborhood will not only encompass street art but also unveil a hidden treasure—a triptych by Keith Haring discreetly nestled within a local church. Additionally, we’ll visit several art galleries representing international urban artists and uncover a fascinating collection of ghost signs that tell intriguing stories of the past.
After a delicious Raclette meal, we’ll pay a visit to the iconic Le M.U.R. Oberkampf urban art project. This renowned wall gets painted over by a well-known urban artist every three weeks. And this is just the beginning of our Oberkampf adventure!
Later on, we’ll have the privilege of being welcomed by graffiti expert and vandal curator, Christian Omodeo, at his legendary bookshop Le Grand Jeu, which specializes in street culture books and magazines. Christian will also provide insight into the unmissable street art exhibition curated by himself and titled “LOADING: Street Art in the Digital Age,” which we’ll visit afterwards.
Along the Canals: Canal de Saint Denis, Canal de L’Ourcq, and a pinch of urbex.
When: Friday January 5th | From 10 AM to 6 PM | Tot. 13 KM
Our adventure will kick off at Stalingrad, where an iconic hall of fame played a pivotal role in Paris’ graffiti movement during the 1980s. From there, we’ll uncover the mesmerizing world of street art along the Canal de Saint Denis and Canal de L’Ourcq.
On our journey, we’ll wander through a surreal landscape of brutalist architecture, explore the realm of the local street artist Da Cruz, and stumble upon a masterpiece by none other than Banksy.
Lunchtime will be a unique experience at a typical wine-bar in the suburbs of Aubervilliers, situated along Paris’s renowned Street Art Avenue.
After entering a complex of former factories that have been transformed into canvases for street artists and graffiti writers over the years, we’ll return to Street Art Avenue to marvel at more incredible murals until it leads us to the outskirts of Saint-Denis.
XXL Murals: From the 12th Arrondissement to Butte aux Cailles.
When: Saturday January 6th | From 10 AM to 6 PM | Tot. 13 KM
We’ll meet in a charming street adorned with houses painted in an array of pastel hues, setting it apart from the usual Haussmannian architecture of Paris. Strolling along the highline, which served as inspiration for New York’s renowned version, we’ll marvel at several large-scale murals.
After crossing the Seine, we’ll explore a popular urban hotspot and meet the organizer at a bookstore specializing in graffiti and street art publications. Our journey will then lead us to Paris’ most renowed urban art district, where we’ll be surrounded by impressive XXL murals and visit leading art galleries dedicated to urban contemporary art.
Continuing our mural-hunting adventure, we’ll pause for lunch inside the splendid Mosque of Paris. Wrapping up our itinerary, we’ll find ourselves in Butte aux Cailles, a charming French countryside enclave nestled within the city. This picturesque neighborhood not only showcases vibrant street art but also features captivating art-deco architecture and winding cobblestone streets.
Book Your Offbeat Paris Adventure Now! Send an email to giulia (at) blocal-travel.com
What’s Not Included
- Visas
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Flights to and from Paris
- Local transport (we’ll make use of public transport)
- Accommodation
- Meals & beverages
Cancellation Policy
- Full refund up to 50 days prior to departure
- 50% refund up to 50 hours prior to departure
- No refund within 50 hours of departure
Ready to Dive In?
Embrace the spirit of adventure and exploration as we venture into the heart of offbeat Paris. Secure your spot today and get ready to uncover the city’s hidden treasures, connect with local curators, and create lasting memories with fellow explorers.
The streets of Paris are waiting – are you in?