Codex on the Rocks: From Street Art to the Mineralogy Museum at the École des Mines de Paris – our photos

From street art to the École des Mines de Paris? January 29 to June 27, 2026, urban art takes over the Museum of Mineralogy at this prestigious Parisian institution, showcasing the work of Codex Urbanus. A Parisian street artist renowned for his fantastical animal encasings drawn in marker across the city’s walls, Codex Urbanus has been captivating passersby for 15 years with his hybrid creatures—approximately 800 in total—that prompt curiosity and invite exploration from fans and art lovers alike.

After previously showcasing at the Gustave Moreau National Museum in 2016, the Paris Sewers Museum in 2018, the Château de Malmaison in 2020, and the Fragonard Perfume Museum in 2024, Codex Urbanus is once again unveiling its fantastical creations this year at the Museum of Mineralogy.

Mark your calendar from January 29 to June 27, 2026, to experience "Codex on the Rocks", an extraordinary exhibition blending the fleeting spirit of urban art, the fantastical worlds of Codex Urbanus, the beauty of the mineral realm, and the prestige of a renowned institution. Over nearly five months, visitors can explore the imaginative creatures of the Parisian street artist while also discovering an exceptional collection of thousands of minerals housed within this historic museum, founded in 1794. For those unfamiliar, the museum holds around 100,000 specimens, with approximately 5,000 displayed behind glass showcases — including rocks, ores, gemstones, and meteorites.

It is here, amidst these rare and extraordinary pieces, that Codex Urbanus chose to make its mark by creating site-specific works. But don’t expect to see towering murals or large-scale murals. Wanting to avoid imposing his art on visitors simply here to soak up the museum’s historic atmosphere, the artist has instead crafted discreet installations that subtly blend into the setting of this stunning, 12-room gallery. Through his chimera-inspired creations, Codex Urbanus offers a unique artistic perspective on the museum’s collection and its history.

• To be read
• New: exhibitions opening in February 2026 in Paris and the Paris Region
• Unusual exhibitions in Paris: original art events to see now
• Must-see street art exhibitions in Paris and the Ile-de-France region

For this exhibition, the street artist has particularly left his mark on architectural plans and drawings of the École des Mines building, as well as on stone landscapes and petrified wood. He also incorporated ancient mineralogical engravings from the 18th century. Upon closer inspection, visitors can discover a new family of mineral-inspired invertebrates, inspired by the museum samples displayed right next to the engravings.

We also love the aquatic chimeras swimming within what resemble miniature aquariums, as well as the twenty fantastical creatures sketched on black-background panels with marker. These drawings reveal the various crystalline structures that visitors can explore in the glass cases. A personal favorite is the pair of creatures wielding a hammer, an old symbol of the Mining School.

Here's a little tip: take your time to really examine everything, both on the walls and in the display cases. You wouldn’t want to miss the museum’s legendary collection of stones, featuring Kryptonite, Orichalcum, Verredragon, and even Mithril.

Designed like a treasure hunt, with over 100 paintings and sketches scattered throughout the museum's galleries, the exhibition Codex on the Rocks creates a captivating dialogue between urban art, fantasy worlds, and the mineral realm. We commend the artist for creating works specifically for this event, and we also applaud the Musée de Minéralogie for opening its doors to street art for the very first time. Admission costs €7 (full price) or €4 (reduced), granting access to the Mineralogy Museum at the École des Mines de Paris.