Best Street Art on the Left Bank of the Garonne

Due to French centralism, Bordeaux has always been overshadowed by Paris. In my opinion, quite unjustly. France’s most important wine-producing city is a true treasure trove, and not just architecturally. In recent years, many dilapidated neighborhoods and the former quays along the Garonne River have been renovated and spruced up. Subversive art also flourishes on the city’s walls. In this post, I’ll take you on a tour to explore the best street art Bordeaux has to offer alongside the left bank of the river Garonne.

Bordeaux

With almost 266,000 inhabitants, Bordeaux is only the ninth-largest city in France. Nevertheless, it has the reputation of being France’s so-called second capital due to its many cultural institutions, a major university, and, above all, because the seat of government was temporarily relocated from Paris to Bordeaux in the event of three wars.

Bordeaux – exquisite wines, magnificent facades, and the French way of life come to mind. Quite rightly so! But the city has much more to offer than just top-quality wines and romantic old town alleys.

A spectacular transformation began in the 1990s. Under Mayor Alain Juppé, the old town was restored, the left bank promenade was transformed into an attractive promenade, while the right bank of the Garonne River is still in the midst of a construction boom.

Either way, today, the city presents itself as one of the most beautiful and livable cities in Europe, evolving into a center for art, design, and innovation.

Street Art in Bordeaux

As part of the renovation of entire districts, the facades that had blackened over time were cleaned and polished to a high shine. In my personal opinion, this has left somewhat little room for subversive, everyday art. Commissioned murals are hard to find. And yet the city could not defend itself against street art for long. Within the historic old town on the left bank of the Garonne, however, murals can mostly be found on unrenovated walls, on construction fences, in bay windows, and doorways.

Yet, not all graffiti is a true masterpiece. Unfortunately, there is a lot of senseless scribbling that borders on vandalism. But in between, you can also find small and medium-sized gems. However, I must stress that you will, unfortunately, look in vain for commissioned large-format murals like those found in cities like Amsterdam, Bristol, Copenhagen, and Lisbon, to name just a very few of the places where I was searching for urban art.

The Historic Center

There are three street artists you simply can’t miss in Bordeaux. There seems to be hardly a street where Alber’s colorful portraits, David Selor’s fox-like character, or Charles Foussard’s bubble-shaped creatures aren’t represented. So while I start this introduction with these three local heroes, I’ll also present many others. As always, you’ll find their Instagram accounts at the end of this post, and on the map, I marked where to find the specific murals.
Ready?
Then tie your trainers, polish your camera’s lens, and let’s go!

ALBER

ALBER was born in Tourcoing in 1986. A passionate follower of urban culture, he discovered graffiti as a teenager, attracted primarily by its rebellious nature. He viewed illegal graffiti as a personal challenge. Over time, however, he became interested in its artistic value. The self-taught artist decided to perfect his technique.

Although he now also paints on canvas, he remained loyal to the street, appreciating the variety of media and the creative freedom.

ALBER uses only spray paint. His style has become increasingly sophisticated. He focuses primarily on line, perfecting his forms by varying curves and colors to give his portraits a distinctive look. His intense gaze is a hallmark of all his portraits.

ALBER is considered an emerging figure in French street art. As early as 2012, he was invited to paint as part of the renowned Parisian Mur d’Oberkampf project, which brought him considerable recognition and his first exhibitions.

In 2015, as part of the Urban Expressions exhibition, he created a 4-meter mural for the Magrez Institute in Bordeaux alongside international street art stars such as Shepard Fairey and Jef Aerosol. That same year, he was invited to create a mural as part of the Ocean Climax Festival in Bordeaux. Further invitations to renowned street art festivals were soon to follow.
In 2017, ALBER presented his first solo exhibition at the Barthelemy Bouscayrol Gallery in Biarritz, with others soon to follow.

Today, his enigmatic, colorful characters take ALBER literally and metaphorically across borders and cultures around the world.

Charles Foussard

Charles Foussard comes originally from Bordeaux, yet he took his first steps into urban art in the French overseas department of La Réunion. Graffiti inspired him early on.

Foussard is known for his lively style. His surreal motifs are influenced by pop surrealism and the Californian lowbrow movement. His picture compositions are often poetic, sometimes almost hallucinogenic.

He thoroughly plans the composition of his work by carefully selecting and photographing the walls to visualize the end result in order to ensure that the interaction of his images harmonizes with the surroundings.

Foussard enjoys creating large murals in public spaces, but also detailed compositions on canvas in his studio. Therefore, his works have been shown in various exhibitions.

I’ve already introduced Charles Foussard also in my posts Best Street Art in NÎMES and BORDEAUX: Best Street Art on the Right Bank of the Garonne.

David Selor

David Selor was born in Cognac in 1988. He has been decorating city walls for ten years.

Against a backdrop of innocence, his stylized foxes float between delicate philosophical reflections with a touch of irony. Selor thus conveys his convictions and underscores social aspects in his art projects.

David Selor has participated in several group exhibitions in Bordeaux. His paintings have been commissioned numerous times for private collections both in Brazil and in Paris. This jack-of-all-trades masterfully juggles all his projects. Whether as an artist in residence, in non-profit exhibitions, or in chic galleries. Whether creating a fresco, shooting a video, or illustrating a book for the artist MR Poulet, Selor moves lightly through the world of art, constantly developing his technique.

You’ll find more pieces by David Selor in my post BORDEAUX: Best Street Art on the Right Bank of the Garonne.

Pyquet

Pyquet is a contemporary street artist whose works have achieved cult status, particularly in the cityscape of Bordeaux. Under the pseudonym Pyquet, the artist remains largely anonymous, which lends a certain mystery to his creations. While there has been speculation about possible connections to the artist François Piquet, there is no confirmed connection.

Pyquet’s artworks are characterized by minimalist compositions with geometric shapes, bright colors, and references to 20th-century popular music, which he reinterprets through bold, graphic representations. The use of inverted text and stylized forms also contributes to a distinctive aesthetic.

Although Pyquet’s public profile is limited, his works have gained attention for their unique blend of visual art and musical homage. The integration of song references into street art creates a dialogue between different cultural forms and allows for engagement with the works on multiple levels.

A-MO

Another artist whose numerous works you can admire in many places around Bordeaux is A-MO. Born in 1982 and living in Bordeaux, this self-taught street artist is known for his distinctive paint tag technique. In this method, he layers stylized graffiti tags with spray paint or markers, creating complex images.

The overlapping tags mimic the texture of oil paintings and create vibrant, dynamic compositions that bridge the gap between traditional and urban art forms. A-MO mostly depicts animals.

Works such as his Kingfisher in Bordeaux’s Saint-Michel district demonstrate his ability to bring the vitality of nature into urban spaces.

A-MO’s work has been shown in various exhibitions, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Libourne. He has also participated in international street art festivals such as Upfest in Bristol.

Kashink

Maëva Martinez aka Kashink was born in the French city of Alès in 1981. Although the artist and illustrator is based in Paris, she has traveled the world to be inspired by different cultures. In return, her distinctive work is internationally recognized.

With her huge four-eyed personas in bright colors, Kashink has created her characteristic style. For around fifteen years, she has been a thriving artist, primarily in street art, but also in classical exhibitions.

Kashink questions aesthetic codes and identities not only in her works. Since 2013, the artist has worn a mustache made from two lines of eyeliner. Her aim is to break down gender-specific normativity and create artistic freedom. Kashink sees herself as an activist who practices a form of public art.

I’ve already introduced Kashink in my post Best Street Art in BRISTOL – Part II: North Street.

Clément Garnung

Clément Garnung was born in Bordeaux in 1989. With a background in architecture, he slowly transitioned into the art world. Today, his work consists of painting, installation, and cultural projects.

Garnung’s work is rooted in figurative narration. He deals with topics related to the human condition and societal structures and is keen to connect various fields of the community.

Clément Garnung has participated in exhibitions around the world, such as Canada, France, the Philippines, Senegal, and South Africa, to name just some of them.

In addition, Garnung is the artistic director of the collective Cargo 209. This project focuses on intercultural and multidisciplinary activities.

MIKA

Michaël Husser aka MIKA was born in 1983 in Alsace. Ever since he was a kid, he loved drawing, which eventually led to a career in graphic design and illustration. From there, it was a short step to creating murals.

As a freelancer, he had the opportunity to spend 4 years in New Caledonia. There, he created various murals that encouraged him to develop his iconic style.

After MIKA moved back to France and settled in Bordeaux beginning of 2016, the carpenter by training now keeps working as an artist of visual and applied arts.

You’ll find another amazing mural by MIKA in my post BORDEAUX: Best Street Art on the Right Bank of the Garonne.

Monkey Bird Crew

The MonkeyBird Crew is a street art duo consisting of Louis Boidron and Edouard Egea. Both were trained at the Bordeaux School of Decorative Arts. They began their collaboration in Bordeaux in 2009 but are now based in Avon.

The duo is known for their detailed stencil art. The influence of Art Nouveau, but also Gothic, is clearly evident. Their works often depict anthropomorphic creatures in architectural settings.

Boidron and Egea use techniques such as drawing, stenciling, calligraphy, and even engraving. The MonkeyBird Crew’s art is rooted in the exploration of human nature. It connects the physical with the spiritual, the material with the idealistic. Their goal is to create art that is both intellectually challenging and emotionally engaging.

The MonkeyBird Crew has left its artistic mark in French cities such as Bordeaux, Lille, and Paris, as well as in Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, India, and Mexico.

SPAIK

Israel Guerra Romero aka SPAIK, is a self-taught artist. He began his artistic journey at 15 when he was engaging in not-so-legal graffiti. Later, he studied cinema at the Mexican Institute of Cinematographic and Humanistic Research. This background has influenced his approach to street art, allowing him to animate his characters and narratives in dynamic ways.
Today, he is renowned for his vibrant murals that draw heavily from Latin American folklore and indigenous culture.

SPAIK’s work is distinguished by its bold use of color and intricate designs. He often portrays mythical creatures such as dragons, eagles, and snakes, hence, motifs that are deeply rooted in Mexican indigenous folklore. He aims to celebrate and preserve the rich Latin American cultural heritage. At the same time, he transforms public spaces into vibrant galleries.

SPAIK has participated in multiple international street art festivals by contributing large-scale murals.
In 2016, he also created a striking mural in a tunnel in Ibiza Town.
Apart from Mexico and Spain, SPAIK left his artistic mark on walls in various countries, including Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Morocco. Currently based in the Mexican city of Tulum, SPAIK travels around the world to create murals.

Nemo, Mekilu, And Dyox

The three artists I’m introducing here have contributed significantly to the evolution of street art, each bringing their own unique style and perspective to public spaces.

Nemo is a street artist from France, famous for what’s often referred to as street surrealism. In many of his works, he blends the human form with mechanical and animal elements, which creates harmony and at the same time tension. Nemo’s pieces are often rich in symbolism, and he plays with perspectives, making his artwork feel almost immersive. His style is quite distinctive, with the use of bold outlines and vibrant colors.

Mekilu, on the other hand, is a Brazilian street artist who has made a name for himself through his colorful and dynamic murals. His style mixes geometric abstraction with more organic forms, and he tends to create large-scale works that feel alive with energy. His murals are often designed to interact with the architectural features of the walls they embellish. Often, the motif seems to grow or move as it adapts to its surroundings. In his work, Mekilu blends modern influences and traditional Brazilian aesthetics.

And finally, there’s Dyox, a street artist hailing from Italy. He is known for his large-scale murals in which he often mixes shapes, lines, and colors in dynamic fashions. Dyox’s approach to street art focuses on the fusion of contemporary urban culture with more classical artistic traditions, resulting in works that are powerful and layered.

Seny

Seny is a young, up-and-coming street artist. Born in 2004, he hails from a suburb of Paris but currently lives in Vitry-sur-Seine.

Seny’s artistic journey began as a teenager and is inspired by rap, cinema, and fashion. After studying at the prestigious École Boulle in Paris, Seny honed his technical skills in various techniques such as drawing, collage, sculpture, and painting.

His works are emotional portraits full of intense and soulful moods. He uses a mix of spray paint, acrylic, pastels, and oils. He also frequently works on unconventional surfaces such as rusted metal, wood, and recycled materials. This approach not only underscores his commitment to sustainability but also lends his works an unusual tactile quality.

Seny’s art has been exhibited in various galleries and on online platforms, where collectors and enthusiasts discovered and acquired his works.

Despite his young age, Seny has established himself as an integral part of the contemporary street art scene. The NextStreet Gallery in Paris organized a solo exhibition of Seny’s work in April 2025.

DULK

DULK was born Antonio Segura Donat in 1983 in the Spanish city of Valencia. He is a renowned multidisciplinary artist celebrated for his vibrant murals, surreal illustrations, and environmental commitment.

His artistic career began in childhood, inspired by his family’s collection of old encyclopedias featuring images of exotic animals.

Despite his talent and passion, DULK initially aspired to study economics. Later, he decided to pursue art and studied illustration and graphic design at the University of Valencia. At the age of 18, he ventured into street art.

In his works, DULK depicts the fragility of ecosystems and the impact of human activities on wildlife, conveying an urgent environmental message.

His works have been exhibited worldwide, including in Brussels, Chicago, Miami, New York, and Vancouver.

ZARB-Fullcolor

ZARB-Fullcolor is renowned for his vibrant, large-scale graffiti and murals that enliven urban landscapes. As a self-taught artist and co-founder of the Fullcolor collective, ZARB is deeply involved in the street art scene, organizing graffiti projects and painting events to foster community engagement and artistic collaboration.

ZARB’s work is characterized by bold, full-spectrum color palettes and dynamic compositions. His murals often feature stylized lettering, abstract forms, and pop culture references.
In Bordeaux, ZARB’s art adorns various districts and contributes to the city’s vibrant street art culture. But his work has also been featured internationally.

Through his vivid murals and active participation in the street art community, ZARB-Fullcolor continues to make a significant impact on the urban art scene, both in France and internationally.

DERF

DERF was born in 1984 and is a self-taught artist based in Bordeaux. His passion first taught him the power of color, light, framing, and perspective.

Like many other muralists, his artistic journey began with the world of graffiti.

Inspired by photography, however, DERF quickly developed an iconic style in the depiction of women. Today, the combination of photographs and graffiti defines his unique style.

Celebrating the complexity and beauty of each of these women, he applies elements of the American Pop Art movement in his own artistic way.

Nevertheless, DERF leaves his art open to interpretation, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in his portraits and allow them to resonate emotionally.

To see another cool mural by DERF, rush over to my post BORDEAUX: Best Street Art on the Right Bank of the Garonne.

Mériadeck

And then I found a classic publicly funded street art project: A group of some of the best local street artists was commissioned to decorate the walls around the Gironde Department Council with murals that focus on inclusion in all its facets.

Jean Rooble

Jean Rooble was born in Versailles in 1981. He is a visual artist and self-taught graffiti artist, and now lives in Bordeaux.

Inspired by comics and manga, he began drawing as a child. Fascinated by hip-hop culture, he began graffiti in 1999. Almost ten years later, he took the plunge and dedicated himself entirely to his art, working as an artist and author.

Jean Rooble works without templates or stencils and uses only spray paint. His hyperrealistic portraits are simply sensational. For me, his work was love at first sight!

Rooble creates commissioned works and organizes art events. In 2011, he initiated the exhibition Transfert with several artists from Bordeaux.
In 2014, the association of the same name was founded, and the festival reached its peak in 2016, when the sixth edition attracted 85,000 visitors to the former Virgin Megastore on Place Gambetta.

Rouge Hartley

And yet another woman! After I don’t know how many posts about urban art, I can still count the female artists on two hands.

But now to Rouge. Rouge Hartley was born in 1989 in the German city of Trier. She now lives in Bordeaux, obviously. After training in video, performance, and installation art, she graduated from the University of Fine Arts in Bordeaux in 2014. Over time, she developed a strong passion for painting and drawing.

Hartley’s art is diverse and includes canvas paintings, murals, and installations. She explores urban spaces, creating public artworks that invite reflection and dialogue. She often explores profound themes of human existence.

Rouge’s works have been exhibited at venues including the Chenus Longhi Gallery in Paris and the Urban Art Biennale in the German city of Völklingen.

Scan-R

Scan-R is a French graffiti artist known for his vibrant and dynamic street art. His work is characterized by bold colors and delicate lettering.

In addition to walls, he frequently paints trains, trucks, billboards, and shutters.

Scan-R is a member of the TT Crew, a collective of graffiti artists known for their collaborative work and contribution to the street art scene in Bordeaux and beyond. Although he lives in Bordeaux, Scan-R’s artwork can be found in various locations across France and Europe, where he has also collaborated with other urban artists.

Scan-R’s contributions to the street art scene underscore the dynamism and transformation of graffiti as an art form. His vibrant works engage audiences and reflect the cultural and artistic diversity of urban spaces.

Epis One

Epis One is active as a street artist and illustrator. He is based in Bordeaux and is known for his vibrant and dynamic artworks. His work is characterized by bold colors, complex patterns, and an amazing fusion of abstract and figurative elements. In his work, he often focuses on topics of nature, urban life, as well as emotions.

Apart from his contribution to the art project at Mériadeck, his most notable pieces in Bordeaux is a striking mural at the bus station Président Wilson in Mérignac as well as his notable Dandy Birds series that features stylized avian figures adorned with fashionable attire.

Beyond his individual projects, Epis is involved in community-based art initiatives, aiming to make art accessible and engaging for the public.

Ben Trakt

Ben Trakt is a street artist from Bordeaux. His passion for creative expression and social engagement drove him to graffiti in 1997. In 2003, he co-founded the Peinture Fraîche collective, a platform for collaborative artistic projects. This experience led to numerous public and private commissions and international residencies.

A key milestone in his career was a two-month residency in Brazil for the O Encontro project in 2006. This experience broadened his artistic horizons and inspired him to experiment with different media and formats.

In 2011, Ben Trakt co-founded the Collectif Transfert. For six years, Transfert organized exhibitions and installations in unusual settings.

Ben Trakt collaborated with Crewer on his contribution to the Mériadeck murals.

Matthieu Aka Crewer

Matthieu, aka Crewer, is primarily known as a tattoo artist. His artistic career began with graffiti. Over time, he expanded his repertoire to include painting and, eventually, tattoos.

His style is characterized by bold lines and bright colors, as well as a fusion of urban and contemporary art elements.

With his diverse artistic activities, Crewer makes a valuable contribution to Bordeaux’s vibrant street art scene.

Mioter

Mioter is a member of the Bordeaux-based Collectif Transfert, a group known for transforming urban spaces through collaborative murals. As a member of the collective, Mioter has participated in several editions of the Transfert exhibition series in Bordeaux. This collective includes the artists featured here, such as Jean Rooble, Disketer, Landroïd, and Ben Trakt, each contributing unique styles ranging from hyperrealism to abstract urban art.

Moiter’s works often incorporate irony and focus on addressing current socially relevant issues, thus enriching the diversity and artistic expression of the collective.

Disketer

Disketer is a street artist from Bordeaux about whom detailed biographical information is limited. However, his contributions to the Bordeaux street art scene underscore his commitment to public art spaces. One of his notable works is the mural Cartoons at the Bibliothèque des Aubiers in Bordeaux, created in April 2019.

He is also a member of the aforementioned Bordeaux-based Collectif Transfert,

Landry Muñoz aka Landroïd

Landroïd is the artist name of French visual artist Landry Muñoz. His multidisciplinary work encompasses street art, graffiti, sculpture, animation, and installation art. Muñoz is also known for his vibrant, imaginative murals, which often combine surrealism with pop culture references.

Landroïd’s works are often highly imaginative and escapist. One of his notable murals, for example, is Alice in Wonderland.

Landroïd also enjoys sharing his work on social media platforms.

Vilx

Vilx is a French street artist who now works in Montreal. He also works under the pseudonyms Vilks or VxMu.

Vilx is known for his versatile style and use of various media, including spray paint, stickers, and chalk. His works often depict expressive, sometimes dark or surreal figures and scenes.
The fact that he frequently uses black and white in his works makes them striking and memorable.

On Instagram

To dig deeper into the subject and see more of the amazing art the above-featured artists have created, you can just check out their Instagram accounts:

How to Get Around

I’d argue that you can get to all the spots I’m mentioning in this post by walking. Obviously, you will be even faster and more comfortable by bike. On the one hand, Bordeaux strives to be a bike-friendly city. There are even retrofitted bike paths in the old quarter. And the bike paths along the Garonne are unbeatable anyway.

The only literal stumbling block is the tram tracks. As great as the tram is and as much as its ringing charmed me every day, the tracks are a real danger. In the few days I was in Bordeaux, I witnessed two bike accidents, one of which seemed quite serious.

This being said, you can rent a bike through the Le Vélo par TBM service. This service allows you to discover Bordeaux in an eco-friendly and convenient way. Bikes can be picked up at more than 180 stations throughout the city. They have both, conventional and electric bikes. As in most places, the first half hour is free, then you’ll be charged two €uros per hour. You can pay by credit card or a TBM subscription, which you probably won’t have if you’re in Bordeaux just for a couple of days.

Public Transport

Bordeaux boasts an efficient and user-friendly public transportation system. The network includes four tram lines, a wide array of bus lines, as well as the Bat³ river shuttle.

A single ticket costs 1.90 €uros and is valid for unlimited travel within one hour across trams, buses, and the Bat³.
A two-trip ticket costs 3.30 €uros, and each trip is valid for one hour.
There is also a ten-trip ticket for 15.00 €uros, however, I’d argue that the passes for 24-hour pass for only 6.50 €uros, the 48-hour pass for 11.00 €uros, or the 72-hour pass for 13.50 €uros are ideal for weekend stays as they grant unlimited travel.
If you are planning on staying more than three days, the 7-day pass for 17.00 will be a suitable option.

Tickets are available at machines at tram stops, at TBM agencies, select newsstands, and most conveniently on the TBM app.

Don’t forget to validate your ticket each time you’re boarding a vehicle!

Map

This map should help you find the murals I’m introducing in my posts on Street Art in Bordeaux. However, I split it into two layers: One for the left bank of the river Garonne and a second one for the right bank. This way, you can open them separately.
Clicking on the slider symbol at the top left or the full-screen icon at the top right will display the whole map, including the legend.

Looking for urban art was only one of the awesome things I got to do during my visit to mesmerizing Bordeaux. In my post What Not to Miss in BORDEAUX, the Charming Wine Capital of France, I take you on a comprehensive city tour.

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