Where is the Wall of Love?
The Wall of Love – Mur des Je t’Aime is a large mosaic mural adorning the gable wall of a building overlooking the Square Jehan Rictus.
This small public garden, opening onto the Place des Abbesses, was created in 1936 on the site of the former Commune of Montmartre town hall, which stood there from 1837 to 1882.
The square was named in honour of Gabriel Randon de Saint-Amand, better known by his pen name Jehan Rictus (1867-1933). Rictus achieved renown in France and even abroad for his moving poems and songs, written in the slang French of his time.
He was a contemporary of Paul Gauguin and many other famous artists and left us numerous writings documenting the bohemian life of the old village of Montmartre, a glimpse into a bygone era.
Wall of Love – Mur des Je t’Aime
The 2,000-square-metre Square Jehan Rictus was upgraded in 1994 and replanted with a wide variety of shrubs and trees. The small oasis of greenery is a welcome respite from the crowds that throng the streets of Montmartre during the tourist season. However, it might seem quite ordinary until you enter and discover the Wall of Love, which is not visible from the street.
Artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito created this extraordinary mural in 2000.
Composed of dark blue glazed lava tiles, it is adorned with the phrase “Je t’Aime – I love you” inscribed 311 times in more than 250 languages and dialects spoken around the world.
A wall normally divides and separates, but Baron and Kito’s Wall of Love unifies and brings people together through a universal concept: Love.
Directions: 18th District – Square Jehan Rictus
Metro: Abbesses on Line 12
Coordinates: Lat 48.884741 – Long 2.338795
Discover more on Montmartre
Montmartre Village Place du Tertre – Petit Cimetiere du Calvaire – Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre Church – Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre Church – Sacre-Coeur Basilica – Montmartre Abbey Sanctum Martyrium Crypt – Montmartre Cemetery – Saint-Vincent Cemetery – Le Passe Muraille sculpture – Abbesses Art Nouveau Metro station – Moulin Rouge – Bateau Lavoir – Montmartre grape harvest festival
