Art Squats in Paris

It takes time to get to know much about the art-squats in Paris unless you know someone who lives in one or live in the same neighbourhood. Squats developed due to a law which states that you can occupy a disused space if you are carrying out a creative activity.

France has also seen the development of many independent political squats, where are being lead alternative collective life experiments and public political activities of various sorts. They differ from a type of "artistic squatting" in the sense that they do not cooperate with local authorities and explicitly question private property. The government has attempted to condemn occupation through enforcement of "National Security" laws - but it is still possible to squat without risking imprisonment. The number of evictions is rising, but so is the number of re-openings.

Squats in Paris exist due to the extortionate cost of space to work for artists. If you are looking for a place to live and work where you can rent a large studio, don't come to Paris. Even on the outskirts like Pantin you'll have to pay through the nose for studio space. Try Leipzig or Sofia or somewhere further east. Okay, it's just not so romantic I know, but the days of Picasso, Braque and Apollinaire, hanging out at the Bateau Lavoir (13 place Emile Goudeauon in Montmartre 18th) are long gone.  If you are coming here looking to make a living making art just make sure you run the numbers correctly and know that even a studio with a sofabed to sleep on and no space to swing a cat could be as much as 1000 euros a month. 

One of the most famous is Les Frigos in 13th district.  It used to be a big refrigerated storage space (4000m²) for all the food brought to Paris and was owned by SNCF (French Railway company).  Inside there is even a huge steam train which was transported by one of the artists from Poland and re-assembled here.  Now it's got tons of work spaces for artists. You are only supposed to go on Portes Ouvertes days (open days) but if you just turn up you'll probably find someone kind enough to give you a little tour and if you're lucky you'll get taken inside to see some of the work/live spaces.

There is also La Miroiterie, 88 rue de Ménilmontant 20th - Sometimes has bands of very young punk musicians one of which has a very hot 14 year old drummer.
There is also a little "shop" where everything is free, or you bring something, leave it, and take what you want.

Chez Robert, électron Libre on rue de rivoli and is apparently the 3rd most visited spot for contemporary art in Paris.  You can check out artists working in their studios - look for Suisse Marocain.  It used to be a branch of Credit Lyonnais. Hah!  STOP PRESS NOW l'ATELIER as of late 2007.

The trouble is they keep getting shut down and it's hard to get information online about where they are, when they're open, whatever.  Don't be shy, normally you can just roll up and ask to be let in for a look.

Comments

[Chris]

Hi, I am a 2O year old art student at the Glasgow School of art. Me and three friends booked flights to Paris for the 20th February. we have absolutely no money and were wondering how an art student can live cost effectively in Europe's second most expensive city. Ideally we would prefer to stay in an art commune or Squat. do you know any contacts/ email addresses of squatters we could get in touch with? Or any suggestions at all would be handy