Street art in Chartrons, an urban expression in the heart of Bordeaux

Bordeaux
Culture and Heritage

In Bordeaux, as in many French cities, walls are no longer simply inert surfaces. They have become open-air canvases where art comes to life, transforming the city into an urban gallery.

Street art is experiencing a remarkable boom, bringing a contemporary and often ephemeral touch to the rich architectural heritage of the Gironde city. The Bordeaux Gironde Guide invites you to explore one of the most emblematic districts of this meeting of history and modern creation: the Chartrons district. Every corner seems to tell a new visual story.

The Wall in Bordeaux, a unique place for street art

The Chartrons district is an entity in its own right, steeped in history and character. Once the vibrant heart of the wine trade, where merchants and brokers ruled the roost, it is also renowned for its many antique shops, which give it an authentic patina and old-fashioned charm.

Today, the atmosphere of Chartrons has evolved, forming a fascinating mix between its bourgeois heritage and a highly sought-after "bobo" dynamic. The old shops now rub shoulders with designer boutiques, trendy cafes and contemporary art galleries. All of this attracts a cosmopolitan population eager for new things. It is precisely this alchemy between the past and the present that has given rise to a district within Chartrons: the MUR, perfect for street art.

The old, weathered walls are ideal canvases for urban artists, while the lively, constantly bustling streets guarantee natural visibility for their works. The strong presence of artists and galleries in the area also creates a synergy. Artistic expression in all its forms is encouraged and invites street art to integrate harmoniously into this unique urban landscape.

Immersion in the Chartrons district

There's nothing better than going there to admire Bordeaux's street art with your own eyes.

Stendhal Kindergarten

First stop: Stendhal Kindergarten. Here, two walls are waiting to be discovered. The frescoes are renewed every 2-3 years for added originality. In June 2025, here are the ones we observed.

The first fresco, with the colorful and stylized characters evoking dreamlike buildings, is a work by Bault. As for the second work of street art, the one with the two colorful and very graphic felines, it is the work of the artist Straik.

These two frescoes are actually located on the walls of the Stendhal Nursery School, which is located at 14 Rue de La Teste in Bordeaux.

These street art works on the walls of the Stendhal nursery school are part of an effort to revitalize public spaces and the school environment. By integrating urban art on the facades of schools, the city and the artists are aiming for several objectives:

Beautify children's living environment : Bright colors and playful shapes create a more stimulating and joyful environment for young students.
Introduce to art : they allow children, parents and passers-by to be in daily contact with contemporary artistic creations.
Promote the neighborhood : these drawings contribute to the attractiveness and visual identity of the neighborhood.
Supporting local artistic creation : by entrusting these walls to artists like A-MO and Straik, the city is highlighting the talent of Bordeaux graffiti artists and muralists.
Create social connections : these frescoes often become landmarks and topics of conversation for local residents.

A little further on, towards the Gymnasium, the porch has a multitude of drawings of all kinds.

Can you spot this little pink bird?

The Chartrons Gymnasium

The Chartrons Gymnasium is now on our right. It's impossible to miss this large wooden building.

FYI: Opposite him is a parking lot with another mural.

This impressive piece of street art adorning its facade is the result of a collaboration between the Monkey Bird Crew and the artist Said Dokins. It was created in October 2017.

The Chartrons Gymnasium was designed with particular attention to its integration into the neighborhood. Its main façade was designed to be a visually striking element, a sort of extension of the public space. This architectural approach makes it an ideal canvas for urban artwork, energizing the environment and providing exceptional visibility for artistic creation. The presence of this monumental fresco thus transforms the gymnasium into an artistic landmark in the neighborhood.

Wine at the heart of street art

As we walked up Rue André Darbon to the Saint-Louis-des-Chartrons Church in Bordeaux, we finally came across a symbolic work of Bordeaux on Rue Pomme d'Or.

This fresco depicts a stylized wine glass that appears to be breaking or cracking. It refers to the wine-growing identity of Bordeaux, while adding a touch of modernity.

This type of work is an excellent example of how street art enriches Bordeaux's public spaces.

Continue your guided tour to Chartrons, one of the most beautiful districts of Bordeaux.

Darwin: the temple of Bordeaux street art

While the Chartrons district offers a harmonious integration of street art into a historic setting, the Darwin Ecodistrict site embodies a completely different philosophy. It propels it to the rank of a true epicenter and laboratory of urban art in Bordeaux, much better known for this aspect than its Left Bank counterpart.

A former military barracks rehabilitated on the right bank, Darwin is an alternative and committed space. It is a concentrate of circular economy, social connection and culture. This spectacular transformation has offered artists an unprecedented playground: immense walls, facades of old hangars and raw surfaces that call for the freest and most monumental expression.

Here, street art is not only tolerated, it is actively encouraged and forms a fundamental pillar of the visual identity of the place. It is not uncommon to see artists in full creation, working on scaffolding to add new layers to Darwin's mural story. The site is therefore constantly evolving. Each visit can reveal new works or transformations of existing ones.

Murals are often large-scale, with styles ranging from graffiti and complex narrative compositions to striking portraits and colorful abstractions. Many nationally and internationally renowned artists have left their mark on Darwin, making the site a showcase for current street art trends.