With King of the Mountains off on a football jolly in Stockholm, I needed something to keep the kids entertained on a Sunday afternoon. In stepped Paris Polaroid Tours with the offer to take us on a Paris walking tour to see the street art in Belleville, north east Paris (straddling the 19th and 20th arrondissements).
Paris has amazing art galleries, Lourve, Musee D’Orsay, Musee Rodin, but Paris also has a thriving, edgy urban street art scene, waiting to be discovered which you can do with Paris Polaroid Tours.
Paris Polaroid Tours and the Polaroid Cameras
Steph, Paris Polaroid Tours’ operations and marketing director met us outside Café La Place Verte. And right there was our first street art exhibit, a Japanese inspired work of art.
Steph issued us with our Fuji Instax Wide Polaroid cameras and a polaroid film packet that contained ten shots. She gave us a quick tutorial on how use the camera (point and shoot) how to load the film, how to take long distance and close up pictures and how to hold the camera to get the best shot.
The cameras are really easy to use. But it’s not digital so you have to think carefully about what you want to capture before you point, shoot and click. With ten shots each, we had to use our film wisely. But this did mean we took in our surroundings and only took pictures of what we really loved.
The kids got excited about having their own cameras, it meant they could decide what they could take pictures of, be real photographers for the afternoon. And even better they got their prints there and then.
A Belleville Rendez Vous
Paris is home to a vibrant, underground, street art movement.
Urban art adorns walls, shop fronts, street signs and even bollards are are turned into works of art. Paris Polaroid Tours introduced us to a different side of Paris, one I many never have ventured into with my kids. I loved it and they loved it.
Belleville is a diverse neighbourhood, home to one of Paris’ two Chinatowns (the other is in the 13th arrondissement). Belleville was traditionally a working class area, in the 1980s artists and musicians, attracted by the cheaper rents and the old style buildings, moved in. This is what gives Belleville its unique charm. But the area is changing as gentrification creeps in.
The legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf grew up in Belleville, and you can even stop off and have a glass of wine in the bar, Aux Folies where she used to perform. The bar is on the corner of one of Belleville most famous street for street art, rue Denoyez.
Paris Polaroid Tours introduced us to some big names in street art:
Shephard Fairey
You might not know the name, but you will know Shepard Fairey’s most famous and now iconic pieces of art, the portrait of Barack Obama, the Hope poster. This has image has made him world famous. His art combines graffiti, pop art, business art, and Marxist theory. His work has been seen in galleries around the world and even museums. But you can see him right here in Paris.
Mr BMX
We actually first met Mr BMX in Montpellier, we just didn’t know it. Mr BMX recovers, saws, welds and repaints old BMX bikes before fixing then to the wall. He does this during the day, trying not to get caught.
Retro
Retro is a new street artist, his art only started appearing in Paris this year. It was pretty cool to see this new artist work here in Paris. Retropolis was Wonder Boy’s favourite piece of art.
Clet Abraham
Clet Abraham one of France’s most famous street artists or street sign hacker. His style adds a little humour to the every day and mundane. His hacked street signs can be found all over Europe. Now we can’t stop looking at street signs to see if we can spot a Clet Abraham hack.
Seth Globepainter (Julien Malland)
Street artist, Julien ‘Seth Globepainter‘ Malland has a dreamy cosmic style. We met Seth’s artwork at the end of the tour at Parc de Belleville. The park was built in 1881 and covers a part of Belleville hill. It offers one of the best views of Paris. When you climb to the top, Seth’s works are spread across the building at the top of the hill. He is famous for creating art that features children, and his works are bursting with colour.
Was the tour child friendly?
- Absolutely, Steph took great pains to talk to the children and really engage them with the art, and the kids loved the art, and the camera. They weren’t bored at all
- The tour takes around two hours, but we walked at a slow pace, taking in our surroundings. The kids weren’t tired out at all. And even better that we ended our tour in the beautiful parc de Belleville
- The kids loved the cameras, it made them feel like real photographers, they could choose what pictures they could take, and they started to stage manage their own photo shoots!
- Yup Paris Polaroid Tours is totally kid friendly, but your children should be able to walk for about two hours at an easy pace
Practical stuff
- Tours lasts approximately two hours
- Wear comfortable shoes, and waterproofs if it’s wet
- All tour guides speak English to a high level as well as Spanish and French
- All tour guides are passionate photographers, and can provide photography tips, and give assistance for you to get the best shot
- The tour includes the use of the Polaroid camera and a film packet with 10 shots, additional film packs can be bought
- As well as the street art tour, you can tour the 13th district famous for its murals, or the classic sights of Paris, there are two further tours in development: Monmatre, and the Pere Lachaise Cemetery (that’s where Jim Morrison from the Doors is buried, and Oscar Wilde)
- Tours cab be booked through the Paris Polaroid Tours website
- Tours start at 45 euros per adult, children (under 12, 30 euros) including the camera and the first pack of film
About Paris Polaroid Tours
- Contact Paris Polaroid Tours
*I was not financially compensated for this post. We received a tour for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
Take a peak at our street art gallery
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Wow! What a wonderful way to explore a city, and the photos look brilliant too! Thank you for sharing with #bigpinklink x
Hannah G, The ‘Ordinary’ Mum recently posted…Little British Style: The Princess & The Frock and **Giveaway**
This looks like so much fun! I love the idea of being able to walk the streets as opposed to being on a tour bus! #kcacols
Tracey Bowden recently posted…My Iconic Film Moments
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This was great fun, you get to small area, but learn a whole lot more. And much better than being on a bus, if you like the area, you can just stay and hang out.
I love street art! This looks like such a lovely little afternoon activity. I’ll add it to my to-do list for whenever I make it to paris. Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS
Jason @tassiedad recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
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Thank you! It was such a cool tour. It’s great to see this amazing art out in the street, and when I started reading up on the artists, I realised these guys are seriously world famous, and their work is out there for us to see. It’s so brilliant.
Wow – the shots are quite inspiring too. Thanks. #kcacols
Author
Thank you!
I was given a polaroid instax mini8 in April as a birthday present. I always find it really hard to use as I am always afraid I would make mistake all the time. Compared to digital you just click, click, click and hope that you would at least get one good shot. I think this is such a great guideline for polaroid beginner like me. I love how you let the kids experience it at this famous culture place of art! Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost Now I need to apply your guidelines to my instax mini8. 🙂 x
Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#ExplorerKids – Round Up #30
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Hey be brave go out and take a shot or two, but I think having a fixed number of shots really makes us appreciate the moment we’re in. Enjoy and I look forward to seeing some great pictures!
wow what a fantastic idea and the snaps are just brilliant. Polaroid really gets you to properly capture the real moment. I love this #fortheloveofblog
Author
Thank you, we loved the polaroid cameras – it’s such a brilliant idea, it really helped the kids think about what they were taking pictures of, and appreciate the art around them.
This is such a great street art tour. Paris is one of the best places in the world for street art. They also celebrate it as professional art. I’ve been on an organised one in Berlin and loved it. In London, I conduct my own tours (including buggy ones)! You might like my I heart street art buggy tour post on the blog. Always on the look out for street art. It’s one of my “lucky things” Thanks Tooting Mama, love it.
Sunita Harley recently posted…Inspire: Seven things I learned from Melanie C
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Hi street art buggy tour – that’s so cool! I love the idea of that! I’ll definitely check out.
ThIs tour sounds brilliant. That cemetery looks really interesting too. I would like to do a walking tour there. Great to get the kids thinking about different art firms. #KCACOLS
Author
Oh the cemetery is totally amazing, so worth a visit if you ever come here.
This is brilliant I love how you an issued with a Polaroid camera, as you say it means that you are truly focusing on what pictures you are taking rather than taking millions of the same thing on a digital camera. Paris is a beautiful city, and you’ve captured another side to it, the edgier side. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
The Pramshed recently posted…Our yearly trip to Center Parcs
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Thanks for your comment. Paris is a hugely diverse city with many different communities, and far more interesting than the picture book image portrayed.
A really novel idea for a tour. Interesting to see what our children’s generation make of one-take photos which you can’t delete! Great examples of street art. Love the pics. #citytripping
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) recently posted…Autumn Walk In Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London
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Thank you. It such a great idea for a tour, to have an instant souvenir you have created. I loved watching my kids decide what to chose to photograph, and they really got into it. They were really keen not to waste the pictures, and started to create their own art, appearing with the street art.
It was a pleasure reading your post, as I am from Paris 🙂 #bigpinklink
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Oh thank you so much!
I just love Paris, I’d love to go back with all three kids, we’ve not been in 9 years and I’d adore to take photographs there. Sarah #FabFridayPost
Sarah Stockley recently posted…Backyard Cinema – The Lost World
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Ah thank you. If you do try a street tour, they’re great fun. Hope you make it to Paris soon!
Really love your pictures. I haven’t been to Paris since having the kids but the way you’ve captured it is amazing! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
Author
Awww, thank you! The kids really loved it. The street tour was a really good way of exploring a city, so worth doing.
What a great way to explore Paris, especially for older children. I can just imagine the excitement of having their own camera. I would have to keep reminding myself I only had 10 shots, I am so used to snapping away. How the world has changed. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove x
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Being An Auntie…The Ordinary Moments
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It was brilliant for my two. They weren’t bored at all, and really got into old school style photography!
Thanks for sharing. If i get to visit Paris, I will sure sign up this walking tour. Also, I think it’s a brilliant way to keep the kids entertained on a Sunday afternoon, with just you alone! I wonder if I can find one in Singapore. #citytripping
Author
I am sure you can find a tour in Singapore. It was such a great way to keep the kids occupied for a couple of hours, and to have them snapping away getting into the whole photographer mode. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh that looks awesome!! So many things worth seeing when you spend a bit of time looking around! #KCACOLS
Author
Aww, thank you. You are right, sometimes we just need to slow down a little and just take in our surroundings, we miss so much as we dash about our daily business.
I always love the excitement of watching a polaroid photo develop and I can imagine it’s even more exciting for kids. This sounds like such a fun way to explore Paris, and great to get older children engaged with it too. Thanks for joining us again at #SharingtheBlogLove
Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…Pumpkin Picking at Garsons Farm
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The kids loved it, a big thrill waiting to watch there photos develop. It really made them stop and think about what pictures they wanted to take, and take in their surroundings rather than be snap happy and capture everything.
I love street art:) I was in Paris but I didn’t notice them:(
#FabFridayPost
ohmummymia recently posted…We never lost him!
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It’s so easy not to spot, we see graffiti all the time, it’s only when someone tells you the story behind the art, we start to stop, see and really appreciate it. Next time you’re in Paris, come and check it out.
Such a lovely post about Paris once more!!! And I love the idea of a Polaroid! Many nice places . Thanks for making me proud to be Frenchie! #fortheloveofBLOG
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The polaroid was great fun, brilliant for kids. There’s some brilliant things going on around Paris, it’s a great city to live in.
It’s fascinating to see all the street art to its but this is a great twist – I think my daughter might burn through her Polaroids pretty fast! We stayed in Belleville last time I visited and really enjoyed the area. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Cathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…Little Passports review and giveaway
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Yes, we did have to exercise restraint!
This is such a great idea, looks like you all had a great time x
#SharingtheBlogLove
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Thank you, we really loved the tour, really good for older kids.
This looks like such a fun alternative to a normal city tour, I love street art and wish I knew more about the artists.
#SharingtheBlogLove
winnettes recently posted…KidloLand App: Review & Giveaway
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A street tour is such a great way to get to know a city, well worth doing.