Hunting Space Invaders in Paris: A Perfect Activity to Do With Kids
Spotting Space Invaders in Paris may sound like a strange family activity — but trust us, it’s one of the most unexpectedly brilliant ways to explore the city with kids. It gets everyone looking up, noticing the small details of Parisian streets, and discovering parts of buildings, bridges, and back lanes you’d normally walk straight past. Best of all, it transforms a simple stroll into a lively treasure hunt. And the moment you spot a new one? Pure joy.
These quirky tile mosaics are part of the vast, vibrant world of Paris street art. Created by the anonymous artist known only as Invader, each mosaic is a tiny pop-culture tribute, usually inspired by the 1978 arcade game Space Invaders. You’ll find them everywhere — on building corners, above metro entrances, along bridges, and even (supposedly!) inside the Louvre. There’s even one at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Paris is Invader’s home base, so it holds the largest collection in the world — more than 1,400 mosaics of all sizes, shapes, colours, and characters. Each one is catalogued by the artist, who remains mysterious (though we hear he studied at the prestigious Beaux-Arts… or possibly at a tiling school on Mars, depending on which biography you prefer).
And if you really want to get the kids involved? There’s an app. A brilliant one.
The Flash Invaders App: Street Art Meets Old-School Arcade
For the true Invader experience, download Flash Invaders, a free app that lets you scan (or “flash”) each mosaic you find. Every successful flash earns points and adds the Invader to your personal collection. You even compete with players all over the world — perfect motivation for little explorers.
The app is easy to use, very 80s in style (pixel graphics and arcade beeps!) and a guaranteed hit with children, teens, and adults alike.
How to Spot Space Invaders
Make your walk even more fun by teaching kids what to look for:
- Tile mosaics made of small square ceramic tiles
- Pixel style characters, often colourful
- Usually placed high on corners of buildings, bridges, street signs, or metro entrances
- Often hiding in plain sight — the thrill is in noticing them
Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be amazed at how many appear.
Why Hunting Invaders Is Perfect for Kids
Here’s why families love it (and why it works so well):
- It encourages kids to look up instead of at screens
- It turns walking into a game, so you can explore for hours without complaints
- It sparks curiosity about street art and creativity
- It adds a sense of adventure to even the simplest neighbourhood walk
- It’s free, flexible, and works anywhere in the city
Best Neighbourhoods in Paris to Find Space Invaders
You can stumble across Invaders almost anywhere, but some areas are especially rich:
The Marais
One of the absolute best districts — full of shops, cafés, galleries, and Invaders on nearly every street.
Montmartre
Perfect for kids: winding streets, funicular rides, and mosaics around every corner.
Butte-aux-Cailles (13th arrondissement)
A street art paradise, excellent for a combined Invader + murals walk.
Canal Saint-Martin
Trendy, fun, and flat — great for families.
Latin Quarter
Plenty of small streets, student energy, and cafés for those well earned hot chocolate / coffee stops.
A Few Easy Invader Hotspots to Start Your Hunt
(No exact addresses needed — these are general zones with several mosaics.)
- Around Centre Pompidou
- Rue Vieille du Temple in the Marais
- Place Igor Stravinsky and the Stravinsky Fountain
- At the foot of the Montmartre funicular
You’ll find multiple within a few minutes of each area.
Fun Extras for Parents!
Bring:
- A phone with decent battery (the app uses the camera) and data
- Comfortable shoes
Make it a game:
- Kids vs. adults
- Siblings compete for points
- Hunt by colour (“Let’s find a red one!”)
- Hunt by theme (Pac-Man ones! People!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Space Invaders legal?
They’re considered urban art. Some are tolerated for years, others are quietly removed.
Is the Flash Invaders app really free?
Yes — completely free on iOS and Android.
What if I spot an Invader the app doesn’t recognise?
You may have found a brand-new one. Try again later — it may not yet be in the catalogue.
What if I don't have data on my phone when I find one?
The app can save your flash for later, and upload it once you get data.
Can adults do this even without kids?
Absolutely. Half the players on the app are adults having a great time (you can count us in there!)
Explore Paris Through Street Art
If you’d like to dive deeper into Paris’s creative underground, join us on one of our Street Art Tours in Montmartre or Butte-aux-Cailles. Led by a passionate expert (and former street artist!), you’ll discover hidden murals, playful mosaics, and the artists shaping Paris’s urban landscape today.
Best Place to Start Your Hunt
📍 The Marais — take Métro Line 1 to Saint-Paul
This neighbourhood is packed with Invaders and perfect for wandering. Renaissance mansions, chic boutiques, cafés, pastry shops, bars, museums — and on Sundays, the streets come alive as the area becomes pedestrian-only. It’s one of the best family strolls in Paris.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog! We are a small Paris-based tour company that prioritises a boutique personal experience where we can share our passion for our heritage and community with every individual that joins us. If you'd like to take a tour then head over to our website for an unforgettable trip to the city of lights. Also, check out our social media @memories.france for everything you could need to know for coming to Paris: from how to use the metro to coffee shops closest to each major monument, there is something for everyone!
Siobhan & the Memories France Family
If you're looking for more tips, itineraries, and insights into Paris, check out our social media!
Like what you see? Read our other blogs here!
- Explore Paris with Kids: Track Down the Space InvadersHunting for Space Invaders in Paris is one of the most unexpectedly fun ways to explore the city — especially with kids. These colourful tile mosaics turn Paris into a giant treasure hunt, encouraging everyone to look up, wander slowly, and discover surprising flashes of street art on rooftops, bridges, and tucked-away corners. Download the free Flash Invaders app and let the adventure begin!
- Did Marie Antoinette Really Say "Let Them Eat Cake"? The Truth Behind the MythDid Marie-Antoinette really utter the infamous words ‘Let them eat cake’? In this post, we separate fact from fiction and explore how a myth grew to define the Queen’s reputation. Discover the real story behind the legend, and why history remembers her so differently than the caricature suggests.
- Dark Paris: 10 Spine-Chilling Places to Visit with Real History Behind ThemHalloween in Paris isn’t just costumes and candy — it’s centuries of ghostly tales and dark history hidden behind elegant façades. From the silent tunnels of the Catacombs to royal tombs and old execution sites, discover 10 chilling places that reveal the City of Light’s shadowy past. This Halloween, dare to explore Paris like never before…
- Louvre Heist 2025: Stolen Crown Jewels and the Stories Behind ThemDiscover the Louvre heist of October 2025 and the priceless crown jewels taken. Explore the fascinating stories of Napoleon, Marie Amélie, and other French royals behind each piece, and learn why the Apollo Gallery is more than just a showcase of gems.
- Paris Fashion History: When Impressionist Art Put Fashion in the FrameParis may be the fashion capital of the world, but did you know that Impressionist painters were just as obsessed with style as today’s designers? From the bustle of Haussmann’s new boulevards to the elegance of suburban strolls, artists like Monet, Renoir, and Manet immortalized the clothing trends of their time. In this post, we explore how Impressionist art put fashion at the very heart of modern Parisian life.
