Le Passe-Muraille

Unique sculpture in such a fun little part of Paris. I've been to Paris twice before and this was my first time visiting Montmartre and I will definitely return to spend more time in the area.

On the way to the Sacré-Cœur, I saw an interesting statue which is a man half trapped in a wall. Later, I get to know that there is a novel about a man with the ability to phase through walls finds himself caught in mid-pass after a series of vicious tricks, and this is an homage work to it.

A very impressive sculpture of the man walking through the wall. But what amazes me even more is that Montmartre is filled with talented people. I love this place so much

As I stood before the sculpture, I was immediately struck by its detailing and the meticulous craftsmanship that went into its creation. The sculpture's ability to effortlessly blend human form with an otherworldly concept of passing through walls was nothing short of breathtaking. The delicate interplay of light and shadow on the sculpture's surface added an ethereal quality, enhancing its mystique. A handshake is said to bring good luck !

While wandering through Montmartre in Paris, I was captivated by the "Le Passe-Muraille" statue, inspired by Marcel Aymé's tale of Dutilleul, a man with the ability to walk through walls. The bronze artwork, showcasing him mid-emergence from a wall, perfectly captures the surreal nature of the story. Not only a testament to the city's love for art and literature but also a must-visit for those seeking unique gems in the City of Love. An unforgettable blend of fiction and reality in the heart of Montmartre!

Le Passe-muraille, also known as “The Man Who Walked Through Walls,” is a famous sculpture located in the Montmartre district of Paris. The artwork, which depicts a man halfway through a stone wall, is based on a short story by French writer Marcel Aymé. Background and Story • Marcel Aymé’s Story: The sculpture is inspired by the 1943 short story Le Passe-muraille, written by Marcel Aymé. The story revolves around Dutilleul, an ordinary man who discovers he has the supernatural ability to walk through walls. Initially, he uses this power for mischievous purposes, but eventually, he falls in love and begins using it to meet his lover. In a twist of fate, Dutilleul gets stuck in a wall, which leads to his tragic end. • Location and Significance: The sculpture is located in Place Marcel Aymé, near the author’s former residence in Montmartre. It was created by the famous French actor and sculptor Jean Marais in 1989 to honor Aymé’s literary work and to celebrate the fantastical tale. The Sculpture • Design: The bronze figure depicts a man with his upper body emerging from a solid stone wall, his hand stretched forward as if attempting to free himself. The expression on his face conveys a sense of struggle and determination, evoking the character’s tragic fate in the story. • Interaction with Visitors: Over the years, the sculpture has become an interactive piece of public art. Visitors often pose with the statue, especially by grabbing the outstretched hand, which has been polished by thousands of hands over time. Symbolism The sculpture represents themes of freedom, the limits of human experience, and the desire to escape the constraints of everyday life. The juxtaposition of the fantastical with the real world, as portrayed in both the story and the sculpture, resonates with the whimsical and artistic spirit of Montmartre. Legacy Le Passe-muraille has become a beloved part of the cultural landscape of Montmartre, attracting both literature lovers and tourists alike. It stands as a tribute to Marcel Aymé’s storytelling and to the creative energy of Paris’s historic Montmartre neighborhood.

Interesting and fun sculpture of a well dressed man who is coming out of the wall. This sculpture is located in a cosy area.

One of the many "hidden" works in Montmartre that is worth a visit, walking around this area is great for finding these little "treasures".

Le Passe-Muraille (Iiterally "the passer-through-walls") is a cool (and quick) site to visit in Montmartre based on the "Le Passe-muraille" French short story published by Marcel Aymé in 1941. The story has been translated to English as "The Man who Could Walk through Walls" and immortalized in metal & stone here by French sculptor (and actor) Jean Marais. What's especially cool about the statue placed in 1989 is that it is literally within a wall in front of the author Marcel Aymé's house. It's located on Rue Norvins not far from the legendary Le Moulin de la Galette restaurant and down the hill from Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Stopping by to take a picture or two is not only free, but cool to be reminded of the story about a man who could walk through walls. The story goes that a man named Dutilleul living in Montmartre discovers he has the ability to pass effortlessly through walls. He visits a doctor for a cure who prescribes a medicine which he never takes. Later, Dutilleul uses his power to take revenge on his manager before becoming a successful burglar known throughout the city as "The Lone Wolf" famous for repeated escapes from prison ... thanks to his unique ability to walk through walls. Eventually, he falls in love with a beautiful woman with a jealous husband who locks his wife in her bedroom each night ... which does not deter Dutilleul from visiting her while the husband is away. Of course, the story takes a dramatic turn when Dutilleul takes medicine for a headache that turns out to be the old pills from the doctor to cure his ability to pass through walls. The pills have no immediate effect and he visits his secret lover only to discover upon leaving that there is a growing resistance with each wall he goes through ... until he reaches the final outer wall ... only to become trapped in the wall on Rue Norvins ... where we can visit him today.