Paris, France: A Dash of Nerd Culture

There is more to delight nerds and gamers in Paris than I ever expected.

Paris has a well-earned reputation for fine art, dining, history, and general sophistication, but after our first-time visit this year, I'd like to suggest an addition to that list of distinctions: nerd culture. Yes, you will find comic shops, video game stores, board game stores, and all the like in the City of Lights; however, these are to some degree the usual amenities of city living. Paris transcends beyond this, to a distinguished and enlightened nerdy plane, by way of both art and commerce.

First, let's take a look at the art. While wandering throughout Paris, you might find in nearly any of its nooks and crannies this sort of installation:

Take a discerning look at that mosaic penguin. It exhibits two distinguishing features: its video game-y, 8-bit style, and the faint symbol of a space invader (of Space Invaders fame) on its chest. This is the calling card of a street artist named "Invader," who has famously installed these mosaics throughout the city, and indeed in several different cities throughout the world. He has also inspired copycats, resulting in this sort of art being frequently found throughout Paris. I will share a few more of these video game-inspired pieces below:

Next, I must talk about the stretch of Blvd. Voltaire right next to the Place de la Republique. I noticed this block while haphazardly poking around Google Maps. It stood out to me thanks to its excess of retro video gaming, geek, and manga shops all clustered together one right beside the other. We were duly compelled to make a visit. To my mind, this was the Champs-Elysees shopping district for gaming nerds. Purchasing opportunities aside, it serves as a monument to the "golden age" of video gaming and, if you share my disposition, it is worth a look. I took an incredible number of photos here, so I will share just a few: