Roughly Drawn Portrait Demands 170,000 Won... Fraud Alert for Paintings in Montmartre, France

Overcharging Tourists...
Beware, Different from Government-Approved Certified Painters

In Montmartre, a tourist attraction in Paris, France, there is a surge in painting scams targeting tourists, so caution is necessary.

An American named Megan paid 120 euros (about 170,000 won) for a portrait that does not resemble her and has squinted eyes. [Image source=Le Parisien capture]

On the 24th (local time), French daily Le Parisien and other local media reported on painting scams occurring in Montmartre. Montmartre is known as a place where famous painters such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Amedeo Modigliani stayed from the late 18th century, and it remains a popular spot where painters actively work and many tourists visit.

However, Megan, a 30-year-old American, was scammed in this area.

While dining at a restaurant, a man approached Megan and offered to draw her portrait. When Megan agreed, he completed the painting in about 15 minutes. However, the painting neither resembled Megan at all nor showed any sign of professional skill, being quite a mess.

Moreover, he demanded 120 euros (about 170,000 KRW) for the painting from Megan.

In particular, caricature and portrait painters who want to work in this artists' square must obtain government approval. They share a single plot between two people and must pay an annual fee of 321.31 euros (about 460,000 KRW) as of this year.

Therefore, those who approach customers and offer to paint them are essentially engaging in 'illegal activities.'

Since there are painters who approach tourists sitting on restaurant terraces to draw and forcibly sell 'scam paintings,' the restaurants have also expressed dissatisfaction.

An employee of a nearby restaurant said that when these 'grasshopper painters' approach, they encourage customers to refuse. He explained, "These painters are a nuisance to tourists. Some of them look shabby or are intoxicated and smoke, and we do not want customers to leave the terrace because of them."

Certified painters working here are equally concerned.

One certified painter said, "Among the grasshopper painters, some behave violently and insult tourists if they refuse to pay for the painting," criticizing, "Because of these painters, the square is gradually losing its appeal to tourists."

The district office stated that it regularly evicts illegal painters, imposes fines, or confiscates equipment to prevent their illegal activities.

The Paris city government also participates in quarterly operational group meetings held by the 18th arrondissement police station, which is responsible for Montmartre, to discuss countermeasures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.