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

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