Wonder how it feels to be stuck in a wall? This is Le Passe-Muraille. It is a quirky bronze sculpture. Le Passe-Muraille portrays Dutilleul. He is the hero of Marcel Aymé’s short story. The story is called Le Passe-Muraille too. It translates to The Walker through Walls.
Le Passe-Muraille is located on Place Marcel Aymé. This place is just off Rue Norvins in Montmartre. The sculpture has been here since 1989. Jean Marais created Le Passe-Muraille. He was an actor, writer, and sculptor.
Marcel Aymé lived in the adjacent building. He lived there from 1902 until 1967. The sculpture is an homage to Marcel Aymé. Le Passe-Muraille is one of the most atypical statues in Paris.
The story of Le Passe-Muraille is famous in France. Kids read it in school. Dutilleul was a civil servant from Montmartre. He discovered he could walk through walls. First, he used his power to drive a colleague crazy. Then he robbed banks and jewelry stores. He signed his notes Garou-Garou or The Lone Wolf.
He got caught and put in jail. But he escaped easily. Then he fell in love with a married woman. He used his power to see her secretly. One day he got stuck in the wall. He lost his power. The husband came home early. Dutilleul was stuck. The moral of the story is great power comes with great responsibility.
The sculpture shows Dutilleul halfway through a wall. It looks like he is struggling to get out. The artist Jean Marais gave the sculpture the face of Marcel Aymé. It is a tribute to the writer.
It is said that if you touch Le Passe-Muraille’s head, you will have luck. Many tourists rub his left hand. It is shiny from all the touching. It looks like people are pulling him out of the wall. But you would need to pull his other hand to help him. That hand is too high to reach. His head is even higher. So good luck getting good luck.
Le Passe-Muraille is a fun celebration of French literature. It is a Parisian secret tucked away in Montmartre. So be sure to look for Le Passe-Muraille. This quirky statue will give you a glimpse into French culture.