Inspiring women with a multicolored mural on the Seine's quays

Audrey Laurençon, artistic director of the Laméning'ère creative studio, is well versed in creating frescoes on numerous surfaces: walls, ceilings, floors… and now on the banks of the Seine! Her latest piece can be seen near the right bank access opposite Châtelet (Paris Centre). It depicts a sportswoman wearing trendy sneakers, and carries a message: more women in Parisian sports.

This gigantic fresco was created as part of the City's "Paris, bouge ton esprit!" partnership with sports equipment manufacturer Asics. Every Thursday evening, a women-only running session starts on the fresco at the point where the two hands meet, representing support between sportswomen. "It represents the starting line, before the group of runners and their coaches take to the quays," explains Audrey Laurençon. The female figure I've drawn is sort of saying to them, 'Follow me! "
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Since its launch, "Paris, bouge ton esprit! " has got more than 4,500 people running, whether competitively or casually by just (re)getting people into the swing of things. The city's aim is to gradually break down barriers to sporting activity so that sport becomes an increasingly integral part of the capital's residents' lives. This contributes to their physical and mental well-being.

A study carried out by Asics showed that the female population is not immune to mental health disorders. That's why, as part of this partnership, we developed the "On s'entraîne, on s'entraide" scheme; sports sessions designed to be inclusive. Above all, these sessions offer mutual aid and support, as well as the opportunity to forge links with other women who share the same goals and challenges.

Marine Lorphelin, 2013 Miss France, doctor and Olympic torchbearer, regularly supports and takes part in these women's races. She was present at the inauguration of the fresco on May 28th: "Physical activity is a good against depression, but it's not always easy to get started in a city, and women find it hard to find the time and motivation. By getting together at this starting point once a week, with jsut a pair of sneakers, Parisian women can find a collective energy. The capital is magnificent fur open-air sports ground, so all that was needed was to mark out little circuits in pleasant places just like the Seine's quays. Adding a fresco to all this adds a little more fun maybe inspire others to do the same".