Walk through Paris and one of the most arresting sights is the fabulous street art virtually everywhere. On buildings in Montmartre, highway overpasses, down the narrow lanes of the Marais. To help us take an in depth look at this phenomenon we spoke with French photographer Jean Luc Martin who snaps street art all over Europe.

Q. How long have you been photographing street art and what are some of the best neighborhoods in Paris to see it?

A. I have been photographing street art for about five years. The most interesting districts for street art in Paris are the Ourq canal, the Bassin de la Villette, the 13th and the 18th. As well as Belleville and Menilmontant.

Q. Who are some of your favorite street artists?

A. The best artists for me are INVADER, Mister Cat, MISS TIC, THE VALET, JEF AEROSOL, JEROME MESNAGE, BLEK THE RAT, and THE DIAMOND. But there are many talented unknowns as well.

Q. We couldn’t help but notice some of this art work is done very high up. On freeway overpasses, for instance. How do the artists get up there?

A. To paint at great heights they go through the roofs of buildings most of the time.

Q. How does the public receive street art?

A. Street art is by definition an ephemeral art that caters to everyone even the people least interested in art or museums.

Q. Where else, other than Paris, have you photographed street art?

A. Marseilles, Lisbon, Marciac, Toulouse.

Merci Jean Luc!

See below for a sample of Jean Luc’s photography from Paris. To see his shots from Lisbon scroll down our home to our gallery HERE. To see more fantastic street art visit Jean Luc’s Facebook group STREET ART HERE.

We’ll be taking a closer look at some of the artists mentioned here in the coming months. Don’t miss anything! Subscribe to our page below or on the right sidebar. We maintain strict privacy standards and will not share information.

Interviewer: Shelley Schenk, contact her at shelley.schenk@myheartbeatsinfrench.com