The Oasis of Aboukir

In a chaotic and dynamic city like Paris, seeking nature in parks is not always enough. This urban gem makes one appreciate the serenity of nature, even though it's only a single mural on the façade of one of the thousands of buildings in Paris. 

This 25-meter-high green mural features more than 7,000 plants from 237 species, arranged in diagonal waves that appear to climb the façade.

The designer behind this art piece is Patrick Blanc, a botanist, researcher, and artist who has specialized in vertical gardens for more than 30 years. His 1986 installation at the Museum of Science and Industry in Paris is widely recognized as the first large-scale modern green wall, and he has been credited with popularizing the concept worldwide. He patented the technique he developed for growing these artificial biomes. His work caught the attention of contemporary art institutions, and shortly thereafter, he was commissioned to create several permanent installations throughout the city. This mural was established as part of the 2013 Paris Design Week. 

Considering its small surface area, this green wall holds an incredible amount of biodiversity in the center of Paris, not just through its vegetation, but also through the birds and insects that thrive within it. The Oasis of Aboukir acts as a portal to a tropical biome, taking you away from the rush of the city.