A massive mural stretching approximately 330 feet long and standing 10 to 20 feet high now adorns the wall facing the free Tanchet parking area near Kennedy Promenade in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. The impressive artwork was completed on Sunday, August 17, 2025, by 26 graffiti artists who traveled from across France to participate in this ambitious project.
The collaborative effort was organized by Eric Berthomé, known as Jok's, who serves as president of the R Street association that initiated the event. Berthomé provided two specific themes for the original creation: "The Fantastic and Fairy-tale Forest" and "The Vikings." The artists worked under scorching heat conditions during a three-day period, requiring tremendous effort, countless spray cans, and dedication to complete the project despite the challenging weather.
Participants came from various regions across France, each bringing their unique artistic style to the collaborative piece. Gregory traveled from Paris specifically to contribute to the artwork and plans to extend his stay in the Olonne region for a week-long vacation. He expressed enthusiasm about returning next year for future projects. Lule from Bordeaux and Musher, a loyal association member who drove from Royan, created the forest monster character complete with prominent teeth.
Musher, who has participated in multiple R Street events, explained his motivation: "Whenever Jok's calls me to participate in a mural, I come to have a good time with friends." Quiz and Nea, based in Saint-Mathurin and long-time participants in R Street operations, expressed their willingness to participate again, particularly praising the positive atmosphere of the event.
Etsig, working from a ladder to paint a magnificent large deer, traveled from Charente-Maritime at Jok's request for her first participation in the project. She appreciated working within such a well-organized and friendly environment, especially with the proximity to the ocean. The collaborative nature of the project created a sense of community among artists from different regions.
Looking ahead to future projects, Jok's announced his upcoming international engagement: "I'm going to Senegal for the Meeting of Style, along with VD, the graffiti artist who created the eagle in our mural. We'll be part of ten French artists representing France. There will be 160 artists from around the world – it's the biggest global street art event." The international expedition will involve spending a week in Yeumbel creating murals throughout the city.
Beyond the artistic work in Senegal, Jok's emphasized the community outreach component of their mission: "For pleasure, we're also going to conduct workshops with local children, bringing them school supplies. It's going to be fantastic!" This demonstrates how the R Street association extends its artistic mission into educational and charitable activities, using art as a vehicle for positive community impact and international cultural exchange.
