Land Art

Deep within the urban sprawl of Greater Paris, a hidden gem awaits. Land Art at Les Murs à Pêches in Montreuil offers a surprising escape into nature and art. This unique 30-hectare site was once a royal peach orchard, providing warmth for the fruit trees and a sweet treat for French kings. Today, Land Art thrives amidst the biodiversity preserved at Les Murs à Pêches. Around twenty associations, united under the Fédération des Murs à Pêches, care for this special place. One such association, TIGE (Outdoor Generous Interest Works), hosts a Land Art festival until September 18th. This festival champions the site’s existence and supports local artists. The third edition of this festival focuses on gypsum. This stone has a rich history in the area. It was extensively quarried for plaster production, a key ingredient in the construction of Les Murs à Pêches themselves. As you explore this giant labyrinth, you’ll encounter the site’s history through informative notices and vintage photographs. You might meet a seasoned local enjoying coffee, or volunteers working diligently. You’ll also discover artworks by twelve featured artists. Caroline Polle, one of these artists, has created a poignant tribute to the people who bring life to Les Murs à Pêches. She has cast molds of their hands, a poetic installation now adorning the walls where vines now climb. The journey through Land Art at Les Murs à Pêches is a sensory experience. Stroll along paths bordered by wild grasses and intriguing wooden doors. The artworks gradually reveal themselves. Down a narrow path, where tree branches reach out, you’ll find root imprints by Caroline Boucher. These imprints evoke the passage of time. Further on, Manuela Pizzolla’s “Phantom Tree,” crafted from plaster and phosphorescent material, stands as a testament to artistic imagination. Amidst this artistic landscape, you’ll also discover charming spots like the Jardin de la Lune, a medicinal garden seemingly plucked from a fairy tale. Land Art at Les Murs à Pêches offers a delightful escape, where art and nature intertwine in a captivating urban oasis.