Because in Paris, the most subversive art is hiding in plain sight—and pixelated.
Paris may be dripping in centuries of art history, but one of its most beloved—and elusive—contemporary artists has taken a wildly different approach: a silent invasion made of tiny ceramic tiles, glued to city walls, rooftops, bridges, lampposts, and gutters. Enter the world of Invader: anonymous street artist, retro renegade, and urban poet of pixels.
His works, known as “Space Invaders”, are inspired by the 1978 arcade game, and now number over 1,400 in Paris alone. Each mosaic is a secret handshake between the artist and the city, blending pop culture, political satire, and playful resistance into one charming, sometimes cryptic, tile at a time.
And here’s the best part? They’re everywhere. And hunting them is an experience.
👾 What’s a Space Invader, Really?
An Invader is a mosaic artwork made of ceramic tiles, usually depicting pixelated creatures (inspired by the Space Invaders game) or Paris-specific icons—think baguettes, Napoleon hats, or Mona Lisas in 8-bit. They’re placed guerrilla-style, typically on corners, under street signs, or up high on facades. Some are obvious; others are cunningly camouflaged.
🖋 Why they matter:
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They’re part of an international art movement
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Each piece is GPS-tagged, coded, and archived by the artist
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They challenge the dominance of “big art” by being small, hidden, and unmonetized
🎮 How to Hunt Them (and Why You Should)
Whether you’re on a date, solo wandering, showing friends the city, or just want to make your daily walk feel like a live-action game—hunting Invaders is a joyous, clever way to rediscover Paris.
✅ Tips for the Ultimate Invader Hunt:
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Download the “FlashInvaders” app (iOS/Android): It lets you scan the works with your phone and “collect” them like a real-life Pokémon GO.
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Look up, and to the corners—they’re often perched on walls near intersections or above street signs
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Move slowly. Some are tiny, and deliberately well-hidden.
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Don’t remove or touch—this is art, not loot.
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Bring friends—because spotting one together feels like discovering treasure.
📜 The Ultimate 2-Hour Invader Walk Route
To spot the most, with a side of scenery, snacks, and street life.
Start: Hôtel de Ville (4e)
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🎩 Check above metro entrances and along Rue de Rivoli. There are at least 4 Invaders on the façades surrounding the square.
Walk north up Rue du Temple and into the Marais
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🌟 Rue des Archives & Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie host a dense cluster. Look for the rainbow flag Invader, the “heart” variation, and the one posing mid-jump.
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☕ Grab a coffee at Ob-La-Di or Fringe Café to refuel.
Explore the backstreets toward Rue des Gravilliers and Rue Chapon (3e)
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This triangle is one of the richest Invader zones. You’ll find over a dozen pieces within six blocks—some pixel characters, others surreal or site-specific.
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Don’t miss: the “Parisian baguette” Invader and the Mona Lisa face near Rue au Maire.
Cut through Centre Pompidou and Rue Brantôme
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🎨 Several tributes to modern art appear here—Picasso, Warhol, even Dalí.
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Look near Rue Saint-Martin and Rue Saint-Merri for clever rooftop installations.
Move west through Les Halles to Rue Étienne Marcel and Montorgueil (2e)
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One of Paris’s Invader-dense neighbourhoods. Lampposts, signage corners, even above gelato shops—you’ll spot at least 10 in this area if attentive.
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Pro tip: Rue Montorgueil has one of the few Pac-Man ghost Invaders.
Extend south toward Palais Royal and Louvre (1er)
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💎 Elegant, subtle Invaders around the Palais Royal arcades, often tiled in cream to match the facades.
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Bonus find: A “Napoléon” Invader perched across Rue Saint-Honoré.
Optional extension: Rue Oberkampf (11e)
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For those with more time, head east on Line 9 to Oberkampf and wander around Rue Saint-Maur and Rue Oberkampf—this was one of Invader’s earliest playgrounds, and several pieces remain, including mutated arcade characters and giant fruit mosaics.
Estimated captures: 30–40 Invaders if you’re sharp-eyed and take your time.
🧐 Extra Nerd Points: The Invader Layers
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Some mosaics are from his early years (1998–2000) and are now historic artifacts
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Others are interactive or political—look for ones reacting to current events
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He’s even hidden a “Rubik Mona Lisa” in a secret Paris location (Google won’t help—you have to find it)
✨ Why You Should Join the Invasion:
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It’s free, creative, and weirdly addictive
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You’ll see parts of Paris you’d never notice otherwise
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It’s a way to reclaim the city as a playful, shared space
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And frankly? Pixel art on 18th-century façades just feels right.
Final Flash from The Socialites:
Whether you’re collecting invaders for glory, for Instagram, or simply for fun, you’re walking in the footsteps of a global underground movement. In Paris, art doesn’t just hang—it hides. And only the curious get to play.
So download the app. Look up.
And remember: the next corner could change your whole afternoon.
**—The Socialites