What to do in Paris in May? Art, as recommended by the team at Le Charme in the 13th arrondissement
May in Paris is when the city truly comes alive again. Terraces overflow, the light changes, and museums unveil some of their most beautiful programs of the year. Our House Managers Michelina at La Source, Ousmane at La Trêve and Lou at Le Charme have selected their current artistic favourites for you, just steps away from each address.
Lou recommends around Le Charme, Paris 13th arrondissement : "The 13th is not the 8th, and that is exactly what I love about it. Here, art is not in museums, it is in the streets, on the walls and inside neighbourhood galleries. May is the best season to wander around Butte-aux-Cailles and let the city speak to you."
Street art walk in Butte-aux-Cailles
Miss.Tic, Seth Globepainter and Jef Aérosol: Butte-aux-Cailles is one of the richest open-air museums in Paris. To discover alone or with a guide, the City of Paris offers guided tours upon reservation.
📍 Butte-aux-Cailles 75013 Paris, accessible all year round, free entry
🕐 5 min walk from Le Charme
More information at https://www.paris.fr/evenements/visite-street-art-a-la-butte-aux-cailles-23522
Galerie Itinerrance: street art and urban art
One of the most important galleries in Europe dedicated to urban art. International-level exhibitions in a generous space, featuring artists shaping the contemporary street art scene.
📍 Galerie Itinerrance, 27 boulevard Blanqui 75013 Paris
🕐 8 min walk
More information at https://www.itinerrance.fr
Galerie Mathgoth: contemporary urban art
More intimate than Itinerrance, Mathgoth highlights emerging and established artists from the Parisian and international urban art scene. A confidential space Lou consistently recommends to our guests curious about contemporary art.
📍 Galerie Mathgoth, 34 rue de Gergovie 75014 Paris
🕐 15 min by metro
More information at https://www.mathgoth.com
Vhils, “L’Interstice” at Galerie Danysz
From May 22 to June 20, Portuguese street artist Vhils presents an installation created using materials sourced directly from Paris itself. Free entry at one of the capital’s most cutting-edge galleries.
📍 Galerie Danysz, 28 rue de Lappe 75011 Paris, May 22 to June 20 2026, free entry
🕐 20 min by metro
More information at https://www.galeriedanysz.com
Rue Louise-Weiss: gallery trail
A concentration of contemporary galleries within just a few metres: Cinzia Friedlaender, Cosmic and Jérôme Poggi. The Marais of the 13th arrondissement, for those looking for something less institutional and more alive.
📍 Rue Louise-Weiss 75013 Paris
🕐 10 min walk
More information at https://www.paris.fr
Ateliers d'Artistes de Belleville: open studios 28–31 May
172 artists and collectives open their studios to the public from 28 to 31 May, across Belleville, Ménilmontant and Sainte-Marthe. Set aside half a day, and wear comfortable shoes.
📍 Belleville and surroundings, Paris 10th 11th 19th 20th, free entry
🕐 20 min by metro
More information at https://www.ateliers-artistes-belleville.fr
📍 1.75 La Source
📍 1.75 La Trêve
📍 1.75 Le Charme
