Le Passe-Muraille, Ile De France Travel Guide

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Discover Le Passe-Muraille in Montmartre: a whimsical sculpture celebrating Parisian literary history and the magic of Marcel Aymé's 'The Man Who Walked Through Walls'.

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Le Passe-Muraille

Le Passe-Muraille, a bronze sculpture in Montmartre, Paris, brings to life Marcel Aymé's short story about a man who could walk through walls. Created by Jean Marais, it captures the story's whimsical spirit and Montmartre's artistic charm.

A brief summary to Le Passe-Muraille

Pl. Marcel Aymé, Paris, 75018, FR
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Le Passe-Muraille.

Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.
Rub the sculpture's hand for good luck.
Explore the charming streets of Montmartre surrounding the sculpture.

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Getting There

Walking

From the Abbesses Métro station (Line 12), walk north on Rue des Abbesses, then turn right onto Rue Tholozé. Continue onto Rue Durantin, then turn right onto Rue Norvins. Place Marcel Aymé will be on your left. The walk is approximately 5-10 minutes. No costs involved.
Public Transport

Take the Montmartrobus (Line 40) , which circles Montmartre hill. Get off at a stop near Place Marcel Aymé. A single ticket costs €1.90. Alternatively, take Métro line 2 to Blanche or line 12 to Abbesses. From either station, it's a short walk to the sculpture. A single metro ticket costs €2.10.
Taxi/Ride-Share

A taxi or ride-share from central Paris to Place Marcel Aymé will cost approximately €15-€25, depending on traffic and the time of day. Note that traffic in Montmartre can be heavy, especially on weekends.

Discover more about Le Passe-Muraille

Le Passe-Muraille, or 'The Passer-Through-Walls,' is a captivating bronze sculpture nestled in Montmartre's charming district. Located in Place Marcel Aymé, the sculpture pays homage to Marcel Aymé, a French author who lived in Montmartre for many years and set many of his stories there.The sculpture, created by Jean Marais in 1989, depicts Dutilleul, the protagonist of Aymé's 1943 short story 'Le Passe-Muraille,' struggling to emerge from a brick wall. Dutilleul, a humble civil servant, discovers he has the ability to pass through walls and initially uses it to annoy a colleague. He then embarks on a series of whimsical burglaries, signing his crimes as 'The Lone Wolf'. Eventually, he becomes trapped in a wall.The statue is a bit larger than life, with only his head, right arm, left leg, and left hand protruding from the stone. The sculpture embodies Montmartre's artistic spirit and Paris's enduring capacity to inspire wonder. Touching the sculpture is said to bring good luck. The square where Le Passe-Muraille stands is a place for both passage and contemplation.