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The SLOW Gallery

Going against the grain of intimidating galleries that people are often afraid to enter, the SLOW Gallery champions a different approach to art: one that is more sensitive, more accessible, and livelier. Eleven years after opening its first space in the 11th arrondissement, it has moved to the Left Bank with a credo: to offer an inspiring interlude to those who want to slow down, look, be moved, and perhaps even leave with a work of art under their arm.

A “record store for images” in a place steeped in history

Blaise Pascal was a close neighbor, Balzac may have shopped there, and Pierre Béarn (the writer to whom we owe the expression “metro, work, bistro, cigarette butts, sleep”) ran the Librairie du Zodiaque there for decades before giving way to the Presses Universitaires de France. While this address, with its antique moldings adorning the storefront, has a long history with literature, since the summer of 2025, the sixth art has given way to the second (drawing) with the opening of a 70 m² space dedicated to illustration.

Far removed from the formality of “white cubes” - those art galleries where visitors are always afraid of disturbing anything - this warm and lively place is designed like a record store for images: the creations are displayed on the walls or can be leafed through in lockers (organized by artist), they are already framed and their prices are clearly displayed, ranging from €20 to €2,000. 
Art is only worthwhile if it is shared by as many people as possible; 
otherwise, it serves no purpose. 
Lamia Magliuli, fondatrice de la SLOW Galerie
After strolling around, browsing, and being seduced or surprised by one of the 2,000 works on display, all signed and numbered by hand, visitors can leave with a piece of art and support the young contemporary graphic scene at the same time. This scene appears particularly inspired when you move from the flamboyant skies of Lili Wood to the delicacy of Nejma Bourouaha, 2 of the 200 artists represented by the SLOW Gallery.

Their diversity reflects the richness of a creative pool where fantasy rubs shoulders with poetry (see the subtle gradations of Jean Mallard and the poetic tenderness of Yukiko Noritake) and where humor flirts with gentleness (notably through the pop universe of Dugudus or the velvety engravings of Maud Gironnay).

A beautiful showcase of the art of illustration for all tastes and ages, with a “Bambino” selection also available on site.

Workshops to create, share, and make the space your own

Always with the aim of being a place for living as much as a place for art, this second SLOW Galerie location offers workshops to learn embroidery, collage, pastels, or pottery.

These activities for adults are led by in-house artists and open to local residents, passersby, and visitors to this street near the Panthéon and the Sorbonne.

Another bridge between graphic art and decorative arts: the SLOW Galerie on the Left Bank presents an exclusive collection of illustrated ceramics in addition to the art drawings, illustrations, digigraphs, screen prints, and engravings usually offered in illustration galleries, which are very common in London and Berlin but relatively rare in Paris.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to leave the nearby Luxembourg Gardens and head to the SLOW Galerie. If you're strolling around the Odéon neighborhood, head to 60 rue Monsieur-le-Prince for a breath of fresh art in a place where the only requirement for entry is curiosity.

To find out more or sign up for an upcoming workshop, visit the website of this unusual gallery.



Valérie from Comme des Français

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Photo credit SLOW Gallery: @Flora Fourcade. 
Works presented (in order): Dugudus (swimming bear) / Nejma Bourouaha (sleeping warmly) / Jean Mallard (Journey).