The Expo des 150 and StreetArt Denfert are moving into the former Zara store in Denfert-Rochereau, in the 14th arrondissement. Ahead of the public opening scheduled from October 3 to 25, 2026, we went to take a look at what awaits you. And there are plenty of pleasant surprises in this expansive three-level space.
Artists still armed with spray cans or brushes in hand, canvases propped against the walls as they wait for their moment, the scent of fresh paint wafting from floor to floor: this free street art exhibition is taking shape before our eyes. We reveal what to expect on these 2,400 square meters.
Open the door to an ongoing art project and you feel like you're slipping backstage just before the curtain goes up. The mannequins and fitting rooms have disappeared, transformed into the artwork itself. In their place, rails gradually filling the space and walls that shift color from one hour to the next.
What stands out is how the artists have claimed the space, adapting their works to the flaws and idiosyncrasies of the abandoned site—much like the character Toctoc, who carves into the wall to steal a Banksy piece.
Remember, back in March 2025, the Expo des 150 set up shop in the former Bergère telephone exchange in the 9th arrondissement. According to the organizers, the event drew 100,000 visitors in 17 days. This time the venture runs for 22 days and covers more ground — to put it bluntly, they’ve had to wake the artists up.
The 2,400-square-metre building is divided into three 800-square-metre floors. Each has its own character, giving the visit a real rhythm—from the ground floor to the basement.
Ground floor : the 150th Expo, featuring an exhibition-sale of works, artist residencies, and a large Art Shop.
1st floor: StreetArt Denfert, featuring an exhibition-and-sale, Codex Urbanus's book in an exclusive preview, and autograph sessions.
Basement — former offices turned into an urban-art trail, with walls painted directly by the artists.
We ended up spending the most time in the basement. With the Catacombs of Paris just a few streets away, descending into these offices repainted by graffiti artists has a certain delicious edge. A colorful, vividly alive take on the district's basements, in a word. We even got lost in the labyrinth of rooms that used to be offices…
The Expo des 150 brings together paintings, sculptures, and works by both celebrated names in urban art and the region’s emerging talents from Île-de-France. Among the artists announced are Stesi 156, Dawal, Berthetone, Jo Di Bona, Eddie Colla, Bust The Drip, Ensemble Réel, and Titomulk.
On the top floor, StreetArt Denfert dedicates 800 square meters to Codex Urbanus’s work and to his Petit Atlas de poche du Street Art de Paris et sa Banlieue. The 200 Île-de-France artists listed in the book are gathered there. Most will be on hand to present their works, engage with visitors, and sign copies of the book.
You’ve probably bumped into a few of them on a street corner: the white silhouettes of Jérôme Mesnager, Chanoir’s cats, Petite Poissone’s witty little lines, or Levalet’s ink-drawn characters. Ardif, Brusk, and Ludo also belong to the project. The book is available for pre-order on French Art Collection.
Initially, Street Art Madeleine II was slated to take place in the crypt of the Church of the Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement. The show ultimately relocated, rebranding as StreetArt Denfert and taking its place alongside Expo des 150 under one roof.
For visitors, the change is a boon. More space, longer hours, and book-signings held indoors, amid the artworks, rather than under outdoor marquees. In mid-October, the weather won’t spoil the plans.
Founded in 1881 in Montmartre by Rodolphe Salis, the Cabaret du Chat Noir stands as Paris’s first avant-garde artistic and literary cabaret. It lent its name to a famous satirical newspaper, and Steinlen’s poster still graces many a postcard today.
That free-spirited ethos is exactly what Romain Nouat aims to revive. After a career on television, he relaunched the Le Chat Noir newspaper in Montmartre in 2018, curating poetic scenes and founding the Expo des 150. For the 2026 edition, he teams up with RosLucie, devoted to nurturing emerging talent, and with Sophie and Julien Roussard. The latter run the Galerie Roussard, founded in 1948 in Montmartre and now itinerant since 2023.
Throughout the event, a program will carry forward the spirit of the Chat Noir’s Nouveau Cabaret Moderne:
Admission is free, but registration is required via the online ticketing system, for both the opening event and the visit. The public opening will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM, and the venue will not open before that time on that day. The exhibition will then be open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM through Sunday, October 25, 2026. As hours may change, be sure to check the Cabaret du Chat Noir's Instagram page before you go.
Meet at 14 Avenue du Général-Leclerc, just steps from Denfert-Rochereau Square. The Denfert-Rochereau station is served by Paris Metro lines 4 and 6 and by RER B. If you arrive without a ticket, go ahead and try your luck online: depending on demand, tickets may still be available.
To extend the stroll, the Lion of Belfort stands at the center of the square, and the Museum of the Liberation of Paris is right opposite.
Three floors of urban art, a basement painted from floor to ceiling, and hundreds of signatures—all free to explore. A standout discovery this fall. Having seen it in the works, the artists’ presence truly changes the game. You don’t just look at the works; you can also talk with the creators behind them.
The event speaks to street art fans as well as curious visitors who are eager to finally put names to the murals they’ve spotted around Paris. Families will also find plenty to enjoy, with vibrant colors and a range of formats that naturally appeal to children.
Quick tip: weekends tend to be crowded, so it’s best to visit on a weekday. The pieces in the exhibition-sale are available to purchase with no commitment required, so you could leave with a work for your living room if something really grabs you.
Still craving urban art after Denfert? Head to the 13th arrondissement to discover nearly 200 drawings by Jean Faucheur at Galerie Mathgoth, open to the public free of charge until October 24, 2026. And to fill your schedule, our picks of free exhibitions in October 2026 and our 10 free outings in Paris and Île-de-France in October 2026 are waiting for you.
Dates and Opening Time
From October 3, 2026 to October 25, 2026
Location
The 150th Expo and Street Art at Denfert
14 Avenue du Général Leclerc
75014 Paris 14
Route planner
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.instagram.com
Booking
www.eventbrite.fr
