On May 14, 2025, a street painter in the bustling heart of Paris’s Montmartre district faced a heartbreaking moment when a group of tourists carelessly trampled his chalk artwork, leaving his hours of labor in ruins. The artist, 29-year-old Julien Moreau, had been creating a vibrant portrait of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica on the cobblestone pavement when the incident occurred. Just as Moreau was about to pack up in despair, an unexpected savior appeared: Jodie Foster, the acclaimed actress and two-time Oscar winner, who not only stopped to console him but also commissioned a portrait, turning a moment of devastation into one of hope. This encounter has since gone viral, shedding light on the challenges street artists face and the power of a single act of kindness to change the narrative.
A Street Artist’s Labor of Love Destroyed
Montmartre, with its winding streets and panoramic views of Paris, has long been a haven for artists. On any given day, the Place du Tertre square is filled with painters, caricaturists, and street performers, drawing crowds of tourists eager to soak in the bohemian atmosphere. Julien Moreau, a self-taught street painter, has been a regular in the area for five years, known for his intricate chalk portraits that often depict Parisian landmarks or historical figures. On May 14, Moreau spent nearly four hours under the spring sun creating a stunning rendition of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, blending vibrant whites, blues, and golds to capture the monument’s iconic silhouette.
But around 3 p.m., disaster struck. A group of tourists, distracted by their phones and the bustling square, walked straight across Moreau’s artwork without noticing the delicate chalk drawing beneath their feet. “I tried to shout and wave them away, but they didn’t even look down,” Moreau later told a local news outlet, Le Parisien. “In seconds, my work was ruined—smudged and trampled. I felt invisible.” The incident left Moreau devastated, not just because of the lost time but because street art is his primary source of income. With tourists often tossing just a few euros into his hat, the destruction of a piece can mean a significant financial hit.
Moreau’s experience is not isolated. The Daily Mail reported on August 8, 2024, about tourists defacing heritage sites worldwide, highlighting a growing trend of disregard for art and culture in public spaces. From graffiti on ancient ruins to careless behavior at historical landmarks, the article underscored how tourists often prioritize selfies over respect for their surroundings. For street artists like Moreau, who rely on public spaces to showcase their talent, this lack of awareness can be particularly damaging. Social media platforms like X have also been abuzz with similar stories in 2025, with users sharing photos of trampled street art in cities like Barcelona and Rome, calling for greater respect for these transient masterpieces.
Jodie Foster’s Unexpected Intervention
As Moreau sat dejectedly beside his ruined artwork, gathering his chalks and preparing to leave, an unexpected figure approached: Jodie Foster. The 62-year-old actress, who was in Paris for post-production work on her upcoming French-language film Vie Privée, a murder mystery directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, had been strolling through Montmartre with her wife, Alexandra Hedison. Foster, known for her low-key demeanor despite her Hollywood stature, noticed Moreau’s distress and the smudged remains of his artwork.
Foster, who has a history of supporting underdogs—she recently made headlines for buying every flower in a struggling florist shop in Alexandria, Virginia, and pulling up a chair for a woman in a wheelchair at a Santa Monica café—approached Moreau with genuine concern. “I saw him sitting there, looking so defeated, and I couldn’t just walk by,” Foster later told a French reporter in a rare comment about the incident. She knelt beside Moreau, asking about his work and expressing admiration for the partially visible remnants of the Sacré-Cœur portrait. “It’s beautiful, even now,” she reportedly said, pointing to the still-intact golden hues of the basilica’s dome.
Then, in a moment that left Moreau speechless, Foster asked if he would draw her portrait. “I’d love to have something to remember this day by,” she said with a smile, offering to pay him €200 for the piece—far more than the few coins he typically earns. Moreau, still reeling from the earlier incident, quickly set up a new spot nearby and began sketching. Over the next hour, Foster and Hedison sat on a nearby bench, chatting with Moreau as he worked on a chalk portrait of the actress, capturing her signature thoughtful expression and iconic short hair. A small crowd gathered, snapping photos and videos, which quickly spread across X with hashtags like #JodieFosterSavesArtist and #MontmartreMagic.
A Viral Moment Sparks Change
The portrait, completed in just under an hour, was a stunning likeness of Foster, blending soft pastels to highlight her features against a backdrop of Parisian rooftops. Foster was visibly moved, reportedly saying, “You’ve made my day—I’ll treasure this.” She posed for a photo with Moreau, the portrait between them, before carefully rolling up the protective sheet he placed over the artwork to preserve it. The image went viral, amassing over 50,000 likes on X within hours, with users praising Foster’s kindness and Moreau’s talent. “Jodie Foster just turned a street artist’s worst day into his best—this is why she’s a legend,” one user wrote.
The attention brought a wave of support for Moreau. By May 15, 2025, he reported a 500% increase in commissions, with tourists seeking him out to create portraits or Parisian scenes. Moreau also launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund a small studio space, raising €5,000 in just two days. “I’ve always dreamed of having a place to create without worrying about the weather or tourists,” he told Le Parisien. “Jodie gave me more than money—she gave me hope.”
The incident also sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of street artists. On X, users shared stories of similar experiences, calling for more designated spaces for street art in tourist-heavy areas. In Paris, local officials took notice, with the mayor of the 18th arrondissement announcing plans to create protected zones for street artists in Montmartre, complete with barriers to prevent trampling. “Artists are the soul of this district,” the mayor stated in a press release on May 15, 2025. “We must do more to support them.”
Jodie Foster’s Legacy of Compassion
For Jodie Foster, this act of kindness is part of a pattern of using her platform to uplift others. In early May 2025, she made headlines for buying every flower in a struggling florist shop in Alexandria, Virginia, saving the business from closure. Just days later, she pulled up a chair for a woman in a wheelchair who was being ignored in a busy Santa Monica café, advocating for better accessibility. Foster’s recent professional successes—winning a Golden Globe in January 2025 for True Detective: Night Country and receiving the Radcliffe Medal from Harvard on May 10, 2025—have only amplified her influence, making her small but impactful gestures all the more significant.
Foster’s love for art also aligns with this moment. In a 2024 interview with Far Out Magazine, she spoke about her early understanding of acting as an art form, a perspective that likely extends to her appreciation for other creative mediums like street art. Her decision to commission a portrait from Moreau wasn’t just a financial transaction—it was a recognition of his talent and a validation of his place in the artistic community.
A Call to Respect Street Art
The incident in Montmartre has highlighted the precarious position of street artists, who often work in public spaces without the protections afforded to gallery artists. Unlike permanent artworks, street art is transient, vulnerable to weather, vandalism, and careless passersby. Yet, it plays a vital role in urban culture, bringing beauty and creativity to everyday spaces. Moreau’s experience, and Foster’s intervention, have underscored the need for greater respect and awareness from tourists and city planners alike.
For Julien Moreau, the encounter with Jodie Foster was a turning point. “I was ready to give up,” he admitted to Le Parisien. “But now I feel like I can keep going, maybe even do more than I ever thought possible.” With his newfound visibility and the support of the local community, Moreau is planning to host a street art festival in Montmartre later this year, inviting other artists to showcase their work in a safe, respected environment.
Conclusion
The story of Julien Moreau and Jodie Foster in Montmartre on May 14, 2025, is a testament to the transformative power of kindness and recognition. What began as a moment of despair for a street painter—his work trampled by oblivious tourists—turned into a moment of triumph when Foster stopped to ask for a portrait. Her gesture not only saved Moreau’s day but also sparked a movement to better support street artists, from viral support on social media to policy changes in Paris. As Foster continues to use her platform to uplift others, and as Moreau rebuilds his career with renewed hope, their story serves as a reminder of the value of art, the importance of empathy, and the impact one person can have in turning a moment of destruction into one of creation.
