Last July, my almost-17-year-old joined me for a week in Paris. As anyone who has travelled with a teenager knows, a trip with mom or dad my not be a teen’s idea of a great time. But Paris worked its magic, and by the end of seven days my son was ordering steak-frites like a native and could find his way around the metro system better than dear old mom.
Summer in Paris can be hot, and air conditioners are few and far between. The summer of 2022 was record-setting, with temperatures reaching 43C. So, when we spotted a tunnel while strolling along the Seine, the opportunity to escape the heat beckoned, and we decided to check it out.
That’s how we stumbled upon some of the coolest street art in Paris.
Once buzzing with motorists, the Tuileries tunnel was closed to traffic with the pedestrianization of the right bank of the Seine in 2016. Left dark for almost a decade, the 860 m tunnel – which runs between the Pont Neuf and the Tuileries Gardens (next to the Louvre) – was reimagined in 2022 thanks to an urban art project.
When my son and I decided to go exploring, we discovered a delightful riot of colour. The tunnel walls have been covered with 40-foot murals created by 10 European street artists – along with some genuine Paris graffiti.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the oppressive heat, my son and I enjoyed a cool walk – in every sense of the word.
According to an official website, the murals are free to discover until at least July 2023.