Where buy reasonably priced art in Paris?

As far as buying "real" art in Paris, I am not familiar with that, but the one fun thing about Paris is there are really great street art. We have pictures that we have bought on the streets and just love them. I have one on canvas. That said they are not "real" but they are fun and all over Paris.

I don't remember any artists on the streets in Paris selling paintings of that size. I think you're probably going to have to look at galleries for something like that. A 'reasonable' price is whatever you're willing to pay, there is no standard for original art works.

Which streets did you find the street artists? Does anybody know of any good galleries to go to? Thanks!

Just West of Sacre-Coeur is Place du Tertre, full of local artists selling their works. This place is famous for local artists, Picasso & Utrillo. Googlemaps, Art Galleries in Paris, brings up numerous places.

We went through this a couple of years looking for large oil for over the fire place in the range of 3 to 4 feet by 3 to 4 feet. For a quality original oil expect between 3,000 and 5,000 Euro.

On the Quais and bridges along the Seine you'll often see individual painters at work and they usually have some finished works to sell.

Odds are great that paintings by 'street artists' were done in workshops in China or local sweathouses with immigrants assembly lining them. Same for African carvings and such. There hasn't been an actual artist in Place du Tertre for decades -- if you do have one do a portrait be sure you actually see that person complete a portrait for someone else so you can judge by their work and not what is posted around their stand. Along the Seine there are 'artists' selling small paintings of Paris; whether those are actually painted by the sellers is unclear. Mostly probably again Chinese mass produced paintings.

There is an art market at the Bastille market on Saturdays. There is some chance you could find something there, but we have never seen anything very good there. The one painting we were vaguely interested in was 800 Euro which seemed high for what it was - it looked like student art.

The big flea markets have some paintings here and there.

Look, what does it matter if the painting or sketch was not done by a real French person? If the price is right, you like the work and it will always remind you of Paris, then buy it and be happy. Of course, you are not going to acquire a valuable piece of art from a guy on the street.

Cite des Arts is an inexpensive place for artists to come and stay in Paris while painting, sculpting, or whatever media they work in. We have bought several pieces from artists temporarily living there. They all have live-work spaces and will take you in to show you their work if you are lucky enough to find one whose work your u like! We have always found them painting along the Seine near the Cite des Arts, which is across from and slightly east of Isle St Loius on the right bank.

Not quite the same ambiance, but after your trip, you could purchase a painting from an artist from France through the on-line Etsy.com I have a couple of international paintings through that avenue.

Thank you for everyone's comments and advice!

I have purchased a few different paintings (oil and water color) from artists at Place du Tertre near Sacre Couer. I have also heard this referred to as "Artist's Square". When I have been there most of the artists were painting right there on sight and also had several finished paintings displayed. If you find something you like, it is perfectly okay to barter on the price. Good luck in your search for the perfect painting!

And if you find an artist whose work you like but not in the size you want, check if they have an online gallery of their own. Many do.