Paris Through The Lens of Innovation

2 days ago
2 min read

Paris theme with Eiffel Tower graphic, photos of people on lawn, exhibition with a red cow, and pastries. Text: "Paris Through a Lens of Innovation."

Every time I go to the “Ville des Lumières” (City of the Light), Paris, I look for what is new in the air.

This time it felt like spring, and there were some fun events.

Innovation is always somewhere.

Here are a few things I noticed:

People relax on grass around a fountain in a sunny park, with historic buildings in the background. Trees frame the vibrant scene.

The weather was gorgeous, and the French people know how to take advantage of it. Streets and gardens were back, and you could barely find a spot to sit on the grass in the Place Des Vosges, where I was.

People in line outside a store with "paloma wool" sign. Beside is a speckled blue shopping bag with black handles against a beige wall.

A famous designer from Barcelona, Paloma Wool, had a pop up shop for a few weeks: a big line outside, then in the store you had a sample of each piece of clothing with a number associated with it: you write the number and the size you want, give it to a sales person and they would provide all the pieces in the right size for you to try. I had to try and could not resist buying very unusual tops which ended up in a beautiful blue printed bag.

Bakery display case with various pastries, cakes, and tarts. Labels include "ALEPH," "TARTE CITRON CARDAMOME." Neutral background.

Middle Eastern fancy pastry shops continue to grow, and I tried interesting pastries called “nests” at Aleph Bakery in the Marais.

Colorful market displays with fruits, faux foods, and decorations. Store interior features racks, leafy accents, and a cow statue. Signs read "Primeur" and "Tous à La Ferme".

I went to one of my favorite Department Store called Le Bon Marché, and they had a sales themed around farming called “All at the farm” which included selling plants and gardening accessories, and clothing, as well as an amazing hanging display of sculptures of cows.

And they even had a grocery store with all the stands (cheese store, fruits and veggie stands, pizza stand, take-out food…) all with objects that look like food (no real food involved). Such a fun way to make the store more interesting!

Teal Z9 GT car ad on billboard with flowing gold background. Text reads "TECHNOLOGY DRIVES ELEGANCE," and "100% ELECTRIC."

Finally, when I arrived at the airport, there was an advertisement for a new all-electric car with the note underneath saying “for small distances, give preference to walking or biking #move with polluting” something that I cannot imagine seeing in the US.

Street view with people walking along a Parisian sidewalk, lined with beige buildings. Bright day with blue sky and scattered clouds.

And it has become a reality in Paris where streets are empty of cars and full of people walking everywhere, including the middle of the street.

Rainy street with person under black umbrella near Matcha Café sign. Cars line the street, trees visible, and a closed storefront with graffiti.

Paris is always looking for trends or adopting new ones from abroad (Matcha is everywhere these days), and it is so fun to notice new innovations every time I come back.

What have you seen that is worth sharing from your last trip?