The 612 tiles used for the mural are made of enameled lava, chosen for its durability and resistance to weather.
Frédéric Baron collected the handwritten 'I love you' phrases by traveling door-to-door in his neighborhood and visiting embassies in Paris.
The red splashes on the artwork are meant to form the shape of a heart when viewed from a distance.
The mural was designed by Claire Kito, who organized the various handwritten scripts into a cohesive visual composition.
It is specifically located within the Square Jehan Rictus, which was named after a 19th-century French poet.
The Wall of 'I love you' (Le mur des je t'aime) is a 40-square-meter artwork composed of 612 enameled lava tiles. Created by artist Frédéric Baron and calligrapher Claire Kito, the mural displays the phrase 'I love you' in over 250 languages and dialects. The red splashes on the wall symbolize parts of a broken heart, representing the pieces of a humanity torn apart that the wall seeks to reunite. The artwork is located within the Square Jehan Rictus, a small public garden in Montmartre. It serves as a symbolic monument to reconciliation and universal emotion. The design uses 311 written languages, covering all major linguistic groups. It has remained a permanent fixture in the 18th arrondissement since its inauguration in 2000.
Stand at the back of the garden path to capture the entire wall width without obstruction from garden visitors.
Visit during the weekday mornings to avoid crowds that gather in the afternoon.
Bring a pen and notebook if you wish to record the translations you find interesting.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Montmartre neighborhood.
Do not attempt to touch or lean on the tiles, as the public garden is a protected space and the artwork is fragile.
