Street art in Paris: C215 follows in the footsteps of 11 famous figures in the Plaine-Monceau district

Christian Guémy, aka C215, is a well-known stencil artist among street art fans. His work can be seen on the walls of several cities, as well as on the capital’s famous yellow mailboxes. His specialty? Colorful portraits of both anonymous and well-known figures, including Simone Veil, Aimé Césaire, Rosa Parks and Gisèle Halimi. In 2023, C215 created 22 portraits of women in the French Resistance in the 14th arrondissement, including Germaine Vogel, Louise Losserand and Germaine Tillion.

This spring, C215 found a new playground for expression. In Paris’s 17th arrondissement, the stencil artist created 11 new portraits. This time, the street artist turned his attention to famous figures who had lived in the Plaine-Monceau district in the west of the capital.

On the Place des Ternes, for example, C215 created a portrait ofErnest Meissonnier (1815-1891). A great painter, specialized in historical military painting, but also a sculptor, he died in 1891 in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, in a grand mansion nestling on Boulevard Malesherbes.

Continuing along avenue de Wagram, you come face to face with the portrait of the immense Colette (1873-1954). A writer, journalist and feminist pioneer, she remains one of the most famous novelists in French literature. She was the first woman in France to receive a state funeral. For a time, she lived on rue de Courcelles.

On rue de Courcelles, not far from Place du Maréchal-Juin, we discover another C215 portrait. This time, the stencil artist invites us to delve into the history of Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924). Considered one of the greatest French composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he was both pianist and organist. He was appointed director of the Paris Conservatoire from 1905 to 1920.

We now head for Avenue des Ternes, a stone’s throw from Saint-Ferdinand church, to admire the portrait of Tristan Bernard (1866-1947). Real name Paul Bernard, he was a French novelist and playwright. He was named Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur in 1903, Officier in 1913, Commandeur in 1928 and elevated to Grand-Officier in 1939.

7 other portraits by C215 can be discovered in the Plaine-Monceau district of Paris. An opportunity to take an artistic and cultural stroll through the capital’s 17th arrondissement. If you’re up for it, these stencils by C215 were created on several of the district’s electrical cabinets. For each of these portraits, the street artist specified the date of birth and death of the personality. There’s also the artist’s signature and the name of the project, simply called ” Figures de la Plaine Monceau ” .