Beautiful Wall in Paris Displays 311 Different Ways to Say “I Love You”

Artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito pay tribute to love via an outdoor wall in Paris’ Jehan-Rictus Square. Aptly called the Wall of Love or the I Love You Wall (Le Mur Des Je T’aime), it features 612 lava tiles that repeat the adoring phrase “I love you” in 311 different languages. Included in this massive mix are the 192 languages of the United Nations.

Baron was inspired by the “silent passions” that people use to shout their love into the world, such as the couples who carve their initials into the bark of a tree. He intended the I Love You Wall to serve as a place for these people to meet, regardless of where they're from.

To ensure inclusivity of language, Baron asked his multilingual neighbors as well as foreign embassies to write the phrase “I love you” into a notebook. By the time he was done, he had filled three large journals with it written 1,000 times. Baron then enlisted Kito, who practices Chinese calligraphy, to assemble them all in one 416-square-foot mural. The result is a destination where lovers can quietly share in these simple-yet-life-altering words.

Baron and Kito’s I Love You Wall is open to the public. It’s on view Monday through Friday starting at 8 AM.

Located in Paris, the I Love You Wall is a tribute to the international language of love.

A post shared by Bri Charon (@bricharon) on

A post shared by Don Rogers (@don._.rogers) on

A post shared by Monika Rydiger (@rydigerm) on

It features “I love you” in 311 different languages!

A post shared by Emma et Joy (@emma_and_joy) on

A post shared by Afaf&Marwa (@afafandmarwa) on

I Love You Wall: Website
h/t: [Atlas Obscura]

Related Articles:

Fall in Love with 5 of Art History’s Most Romantic Masterpieces

Illustrator Shares Sweet Moments of What True Love Really Looks Like

15+ Romantic Gifts to Show Your Long-Distance Love Your Affection

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits