100 street artists take over a former Zara in the 14th for Street Art Denfert, free entry
Picture a 2,400 m² former Zara store transformed into a canvas for around a hundred Île-de-France street artists: that is exactly what Street Art Denfert has in store, a free exhibition landing in Paris’s 14th arrondissement from 3 to 25 October 2026. Book your tickets online now, as entry is free but reservation is required.
An unexpected venue for an extraordinary street art exhibition
The former Zara at Denfert-Rochereau is no ordinary art space. Spread across 3 floors, this repurposed retail building hosts an event that goes far beyond anything a conventional gallery could offer. The choice of venue gives the whole thing a particular edge: works born on the street, made by artists who often create under cover of darkness, now displayed inside a gutted big-box store stripped of its shelving.
The change of scenery is also a change of scale. Originally planned for the crypt of the Église de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement, the exhibition was renamed Street Art Denfert to mark this fresh start. Its run has also been extended: 22 days instead of the 10 initially announced, giving visitors plenty more time to plan their trip.
What Street Art Denfert is really celebrating
Behind this exhibition lies a very specific purpose. It marks the release of the Petit Atlas de poche du Street Art de Paris et sa Banlieue, written by Codex Urbanus and published by Omniscience. The guide works like a naturalist’s field book: it lets you identify works spotted on urban walks and recognise the artists who created them.
This expanded new edition now covers 200 active street artists in Île-de-France, up from 150 in the previous version. It features 800 photographs of works, an index and 432 pages. The book is available for exclusive pre-order on FrenchArtCollection.com from 7 July 2026, ahead of its bookshop release on 15 October 2026 at a price of €30. It will also be on sale on-site during the exhibition, subject to availability. Worth noting: the first edition, launched at Street Art Madeleine I in 2024, sold 1,000 copies in four days.
The artists you will find in this former 14th-arrondissement Zara
The list of participants already gives a sense of how rich the programme is. Expect well-known faces from the walls of Paris alongside names that have yet to reach a wider audience. Confirmed artists include:
- Chanoir, instantly recognisable for his colourful cats
- Codex Urbanus, the atlas’s author and creator of a fantastical bestiary that has inhabited the walls of Paris for over ten years
- Jérôme Mesnager and his white figure, an iconic presence in French street art
- Ardif, Brusk, Combo, Jana & JS, FKDL, Eddie Colla, Steeven Salvat
- Oak Oak, Petite Poissone, La Dactylo, Nadège Dauvergne, Mosko, Jérôme Rasto
In total, more than 100 artists who shape the visual landscape of our streets will be represented. Many of them keep a low profile, sometimes remaining anonymous in their day-to-day practice. That is why nearly 100 signing sessions are scheduled across the ten days of the event, offering a rare chance to meet these creators in person and leave with a signed copy of the atlas.
Who is behind Street Art Denfert and how to get there
The driving force behind the event is Sophie and Julien Roussard of Galerie Roussard. Founded in Montmartre over seventy years ago, the gallery is also behind the street art and contemporary festival at the Poste du Louvre. This is, in other words, an organisation with deep experience in bringing art to new audiences.
To visit Street Art Denfert, entry is free but online reservation is compulsory. The booking system helps manage the flow of visitors across the three floors. The venue is open every day from 11am to 8pm for ticket holders. If you have not yet reserved, places may still be available online depending on current demand.
This free exhibition is aimed at urban art enthusiasts and curious first-timers alike, whether you come as a family or with friends. The venue itself, a former retail space entirely reclaimed by creativity, is worth the visit regardless of the works it houses.
