Situated in the former industrial belt of eastern Paris, Pantin is a prime example of the transformative energy sweeping through Paris’s suburbs.
Pantin, often likened to Paris’s version of Brooklyn, has transformed its industrial past into a hub of cultural dynamism. Its old factories and warehouses have been repurposed into trendy loft apartments, art galleries, and thriving music venues.
Update 2025: This mural is no longer there, that warehouse is being renovated.
Pantin has attracted artists, creatives, and startups, partly due to the availability of larger spaces and lower rents compared to central Paris. The town hosts several notable cultural institutions, galleries, and performance spaces, seamlessly blending its industrial roots with modern creativity and street art, alongside a commitment to sustainable development and eco-friendly projects.
Coming out from the metro station Eglise de Pantin, the first mural you’ll stumble upon is a masterpiece by the Dourone duo, part of their series dealing with consolidation and fragmentation to explore the notion of time in the 21st century.
Dourone’s mural “00:00.02 – Pantin – 2019+ – Marine” honors the Franco-Vietnamese model Marine Belin.
- Read also: “Exploring Street Art in Paris: A Comprehensive Guide to All 20 Arrondissements and Beyond!“
Explore Paris and its suburbs with my street art book!
True to the ethos of “Be Local”, this book reflects not only my perspective but also the voices of the Parisian street artists I interviewed. Their contributions infuse the guide with authentic local flavor, leading you to both iconic landmarks and hidden gems—offering a richer, non-touristy glimpse into the life of the city.
- Explore Paris and its suburbs with my street art book!
- Street Art in Pantin: Le 27 îlot
- Pantin in my street art book
- Street Art in Pantin: Le M.U.R. Project
- Street Art along the Canal
- Pantin Street Art Map
- What to See in Pantin, the Brooklyn of Paris
- Exploring further East: Contemporary Art in Romainville
- Pantin Travel and Street Art Map
- Explore Paris and Pantin in my street art book!
Update April 2025: This time, I didn’t just explore Pantin—I made it my base, my home for ten days. Staying here allowed me to truly soak in the local atmosphere and I can now say with certainty that this is my favorite corner of Paris: genuine, alternative, down-to-earth, and surprisingly green. It couldn’t be further from the usual Parisian clichés!
This longer stay gave me the chance to explore more of Pantin, so I’m giving this article an update. 😉
Street Art in Pantin: Le 27 îlot
Pantin is also the site of the street art initiative Le27 Pantin, which has transformed a social housing block into a vibrant cultural trail adorned with street art, spearheaded by two local women: Eva Greiffemberg from “La Maison du Projet” and Fanny Carlotti, director of the kindergarten situated in the middle of the îlot, French for block.
Their vision was to revitalize the housing complex, home to many families, turning it into a cultural pathway that draws visitors from across the city to explore what was once a secluded area. Initiated in 2021, the project kick-started with the unveiling of 30 pieces crafted by French street artists, and it continues to flourish by welcoming new artists to contribute their work every few months.
Here are some of my favorites street art pieces at Le 27 Pantin:
Pantin in my street art book
Street Art in Pantin: Le M.U.R. Project
Launched in 2003 in the 11th Arrondissement on Rue Oberkampf, Le M.U.R. (Modulable, Urbain, Réactif) is a public art initiative offering a legal and visible space for street artists—both local and international—to share their work. Over the years, the project has expanded beyond Rue Oberkampf, with several public walls across Paris, as well as others throughout France and even abroad. Each wall hosts a new piece roughly every two months, keeping the streets in constant artistic rotation.
There’s also a Le M.U.R. wall in Pantin, managed by the same team behind Le 27 Pantin, continuing the project’s mission of showcasing evolving street art in public space. When I visited, the featured artist was Mapecoo (María Peña Coto). She created her mural through a participatory process with Femmes Entraide et Autonomie (FEA), an association that supports women and fights against gender-based and sexual violence. Inspired by the powerful voices and stories shared during several workshops, the piece is a tribute to the resilience, hope, and strength of migrant women on their path toward freedom and self-determination.
Street Art along the Canal
One of the best ways to experience Pantin is by taking a walk along the Canal de l’Ourcq. This is where the city truly comes to life: locals jog, cycle, read by the water, or catch up over a beer.
One side of the canal is lined with brasseries, pubs, restaurants, and cafés of all kinds—from ethnic cuisine to hipster hangouts, gelato shops to alternative spots.
The opposite bank, meanwhile, is more geared toward open-air workouts, with paths for running and cycling, as well as outdoor fitness machines for legs, arms, and full-body exercises.
Both sides of the canal are adorned with graffiti and spontaneous street art—you could easily spend hours exploring it all.
One of the most intriguing works I encountered in this stretch of Pantin is by the French artist collective Les K.Releuses.
Their creations are small, blue-painted ceramic tiles embedded directly into the pavement. Inspired by traditional Iberian azulejos, these tiles depict local architecture, flora, and fauna, offering a poetic and unexpected glimpse into the city’s everyday life. The collective describes their work as “repairing the city” by filling its cracks with art, inviting passersby to pause and reimagine their surroundings.
This walk will appeal more to fans of graffiti and small-scale street art, but there are also two standout murals worth noting. The first is a striking photorealistic portrait of Marion Cotillard, the acclaimed French actress and producer from Paris, painted by American muralist BKFoxx.
A bit off the canal path—closer to the railway—you’ll find another impressive mural by Ratur and Sckaro. Curated by Quai 36, this mural is part of a series of five works painted in TGV maintenance centers to mark the 40th anniversary of the high-speed train.
Pantin Street Art Map
What to See in Pantin, the Brooklyn of Paris
Over recent years, Pantin has undergone significant urban renewal and has become known for its vibrant cultural scene, particularly in the fields of contemporary art and music.
My recommendation is to enjoy a stroll along the Canal de l’Ourcq with its waterfront lined with cafes, restaurants, and music venues, offering a unique experience just a stone’s throw from Paris’s bustling tourist heart.
Contemporary Art at Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in Pantin
Located within a former boiler factory spanning over 4,700 m², the Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery offers free admission to a contemporary art space featuring works by notable contemporary artists like Georg Baselitz, Alex Katz, and Anselm Kiefer. It also represents esteemed estates including those of Robert Mapplethorpe, Robert Rauschenberg, Elaine Sturtevant, and Andy Warhol. My personal highlight of the visit was the 19th-century building itself, which has preserved its industrial allure, marked by a striking red brick facade.
Performing Arts at the Centre National de la Danse in Pantin
The National Dance Center, a leading establishment for dance and choreography, occupies a building that once served as an administrative space, crafted from concrete in the characteristic brutalist style by Jacques Kalisz in 1972. It has hosted performances by renowned figures such as Angelin Preljocaj, Robyn Orlin, and Régine Chopinot, while its rehearsal studios are a nurturing ground for the finest emerging dancers and choreographers.
Atop its upper terrace, the Mingway café-restaurant offers an expansive view of the city, while on the ground floor there is a very luminous library that can be used as a co-working space.
Eating Vegan in Pantin: Cheri Coco
On the last day of my trip, I invited myself out to Pantin’s vegan restaurant: Cheri Coco. Chéri Coco is a cozy vegan gem tucked away in Pantin, blending Afro-Caribbean flavors with creative, globally inspired twists. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the fresh juices—especially the ginger lemonade—are a perfect touch. It was such a relief to finally find plant-based options on the menu—especially in a city like Paris, where classic meat- and dairy-heavy dishes still rule the scene.
La Cité Fertile: Pantin’s Green Oasis for Culture and Community
Set on the grounds of a former SNCF train station, La Cité Fertile is a one-hectare hub for sustainable living, creativity, and social connection. Since opening in 2018, it has become a go-to spot in Pantin for eco-conscious events, from food markets and urban gardening workshops to open-air concerts and community festivals. With its mix of cultural programming and environmental awareness, this lively space invites locals and visitors alike to hang out, learn, and take part in shaping a more sustainable urban future. The place hosts a co-working space, a beer garden, a restaurant and a café -all places where you can mingle with the nicest people in Pantin.
Live Music, and Craft Beers, at Les Magasins Generaux in Pantin
Constructed in 1931 along the Ourcq canal, this remarkable concrete structure spans 20,000 sqm, with 1.4 km of gangways that once facilitated the arrival and departure of duty-free goods.
By 1958, the Magasins Generaux employed over 120 workers. However, the 1960s and 1970s brought significant shifts in the agricultural food industries, adversely affecting the operations within the building. Consequently, at the dawn of the 2000s, the Magasins Generaux ceased operations.
Today, the former general store has been repurposed to a multiple-floor event space, home to the Dock B brewery, along with various other businesses exuding a hipster vibe.
Truth be told, I had this building saved in my Paris bucket list for a long time, so long that it doesn’t look anymore like the graffiti heaven I’ve been dreaming of visiting: a huge, abandoned building completely taken over by graffiti writers and street artists, in an organic, spontaneous, unplanned way.
The project, known as “Graffiti General,” can still be seen on this website boasting a virtual 3D model specifically built to preserve the building’s street art era. Additionally, you can find many photos of it on Google Arts & Culture.
Have a look, it’s truly amazing! Too bad I couldn’t bring you there earlier!
But Magasins Généraux isn’t just a spot for a drink—its raw concrete walls also host a vibrant lineup of cultural events, including a free contemporary art gallery with regularly changing exhibitions.
Exploring further East: Contemporary Art in Romainville
A bit further east, just a brief bus journey from Pantin, you’ll find Romainville, a place with roots stretching back to its days as an industrial hub of Paris in the 19th century. A pivotal aspect of Romainville’s history are its gypsum mines, crucial for the production of plaster of Paris. These extensive mines were a cornerstone of the area’s economy. Although no longer operational, their influence on the landscape and local heritage remains indelible.
My journey to Romainville was fueled by a desire to visit the exhibition space focused on urban art, managed by Quai36. This notable organization champions urban art initiatives in Paris and across France. Having followed and admired their dedication for years, I was eager to visit their gallery and headquarters in person.
During my visit, the venue was showcasing a solo exhibition by Yann L’Outsider, a French post-graffiti artist renowned for his innovative approach to graffiti.
Additionally, I discovered through Google Maps that this building (called Komunuma) also houses various contemporary art galleries and spaces, such as Galerie D., Air de Paris, and 22,48m2. Regrettably, my visit coincided with their closing time, leaving me no opportunity to delve into Romainville’s contemporary art scene further.
However, this gives me the perfect excuse to return once again to the northeastern suburbs of Paris! Stay tuned!
Pantin Travel and Street Art Map
Explore Paris and Pantin in my street art book!
- The Art Photography Book (left): A hardcover edition printed on premium-quality paper showcasing vibrant images, perfect for art lovers.
- The Travel Guide (right): A portable A5 paperback with lightweight paper, perfect for travelers exploring Paris’ urban art scene on foot.
Both editions feature the same content: 278 pages that blend visual storytelling with practical tools for exploring Paris’ most compelling street art locations.
