Have you ever had a moment of surprise on a French motorway when a strange piece of art loomed into view? You may have spotted one on a familiar route, but in truth, they are scattered all over the country.
The most famous is Woinic, an eight-metre-high, 50-tonne wild boar in the Ardennes. Others with national recognition include Sur la trace des Vikings on the A13 towards Rouen (Seine-Maritime) and La Grande Boucle on the A64.
These 艙uvres d鈥檃utoroutes are part of France鈥檚 1% artistique scheme, launched in the 1950s. The policy sets aside 1% of the cost of each public-sector project for art.
As of 2025, the scheme has produced more than 12,400 artworks. Early projects were installed in schools and museums.
Cyclope by BeppoJulien Leli猫vre
From the 1970s and 1980s, motorway construction became a major showcase for the programme. The same policy has also filled many of France鈥檚 42,000 roundabouts with sculptures.
On motorways, the rule is nicknamed 1 pour 1,000 because the cost of building is so high that only a thousandth of the budget goes to art.
鈥淭hey are meant to trigger a reaction from drivers, to elevate them from the monotony of driving,鈥� said photographer Julien Leli猫vre, author of (Building Books, 2019).
His book is the result of a ten-year research project, partly funded during his university studies. He then travelled across France photographing these roadside works.
La Porte
du soleil by Ivan AvoscanJulien Leli猫vre
Mr Leli猫vre鈥檚 interest began as a child on the A6, where he would look out for Marta Pan鈥檚 Signe infini, a striking monumental metal sculpture.
Several artists have built national and international reputations through motorway art. As well as Marta Pan, they also include Georges Saulterre, Victor Vasarely, and Anne and Patrick Poirier.
Advertisment
Architects have also contributed, such as Ricardo Bofill, creator of the Espaces d'Abraxas and the monumental Pyramide du Perthus on the A9.
Poulet de Bresse by Jean Bris茅Julien Leli猫vre
The number of new works has been falling. Many developers fail to comply with the 1% artistique policy, with only 21 pieces commissioned in 2022 compared to 73 in 2013, according to Le Monde.
Some works suffer from neglect, vandalism or theft. Olivier Debr茅鈥檚 La Fontaine no longer flows with water.
Motorway art is more common in the south of France, both east and west, and along the A6 and A7 to Lyon and Marseille, Mr Leli猫vre said. It is rarer in Brittany or Normandy.
