House Invader taking on Paris!
Have you ever ever strolled by Paris and seen colourful mosaics or pixelated characters? They’re House Invaders, although many don’t notice what they’ve seen. These mosaics are in all places—tucked into road corners, on bridges, and even on monuments just like the Eiffel Tower.
I’ve been obsessive about them for years. Looking them down has develop into my favourite strategy to discover the town. I can’t stroll by Paris with out glancing up or trying again, hoping to identify a brand new one. With over 1,400 scattered throughout the town, every discovery appears like a small victory.
However in case you’ve seen these little pixel artwork items and puzzled, What are they? Who made them? Why are they right here?—you’re not alone. Let’s break down the story behind this fascinating, worldwide road artwork undertaking and see why it’s captured the hearts of individuals like me throughout the globe.
And I additionally share how one can flip your subsequent stroll in Paris right into a enjoyable treasure hunt!
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The Starting: The primary House Invasion
The primary House Invader mosaic appeared in Paris in 1998. The mysterious artist, recognized solely as Invader, selected pixelated characters from the 1978 online game House Invaders as his inspiration. For individuals who grew up within the ’80s or ’90s, these designs set off nostalgia—a throwback to early arcade video games and their blocky graphics.
However not like most road artwork, these items aren’t painted or spray-canned. Invader creates them utilizing small, colourful tiles organized into mosaics. And every certainly one of these “invasions” is fastidiously documented and cataloged.

Invader: The Artist is a Thriller
One of many intriguing points of the House Invader undertaking is that nobody is aware of who Invader is. He operates below a pseudonym, fastidiously hiding his identification regardless of his rising fame.
What we do know: Invader is a classically educated artist who has managed to stay nameless for over 25 years. And there may be nearly no week, the place he’s not putting in at the least one new House Invader Artwork someplace on this planet.
He does have a small crew, however he basically is working alone. House Invader is a one artist work.

How Invader took over Paris—and the World
Invader isn’t an artwork undertaking that’s restricted to Paris. Whereas the artists’ work is most concentrated right here, Invaders attain is world. Over time, he has “invaded” greater than 80 cities throughout 30 nations.
You’ll discover his items in New York, Tokyo, Kathmandu, Los Angeles, underwater within the Cancun Bay in Mexico, and even in house on the Worldwide House Station (ISS).
Invader’s undertaking is half artwork, half treasure hunt, and half city intervention. Every mosaic is strategically positioned, principally unauthorized, and mixing into the structure of cities worldwide.
Some are small and simply missed, whereas others—particularly newer ones—will be monumental.


The Flash Invader App: A Treasure Hunt for Artwork
As somebody who’s fallen in love with these items, I can let you know it’s addictive. It began small—I’d spot a pair throughout informal walks round Paris or whereas sightseeing.
Quickly sufficient, I discovered myself actively looking them, particularly after I downloaded the Flash Invaders App. Now, it even occurs that plan whole biking routes by Paris, mapping out paths to seize as many Invaders as attainable alongside the best way.
The app is a recreation designed by Invader himself, and it’s pretty merely. All you want is a smartphone and an web connection. And the perfect: It’s one of many free issues you are able to do in Paris.
And as soon as you notice an invader within the wild, to open the app and flash it. Performed. Will probably be added to your private assortment, along with a rating.
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It’s extremely partaking, and now that I’m hooked, I discover myself noticing a lot extra round me. I not simply stroll from level A to level B—I’m at all times trying round, actively scanning my environment.
Due to this, I’ve found spectacular road artwork in Paris that I’d have utterly missed earlier than. But it surely’s not simply artwork—I’ve began noticing charming particulars on buildings, quirky little additions, and wonderful window decorations.
The town feels stuffed with hidden gems, all ready to be discovered.
Tip: It’s a really partaking exercise for teenagers and youngsters as nicely. Perhaps these guides are useful for you as nicely:
There’s an entire neighborhood of “flashers” like me, continually scouring the streets for brand new mosaics. At any time when Invader posts a couple of new location —sometimes on Fb or Instagram — you will be positive many are out attempting to catch it asap.
I don’t wanna brag, okay, perhaps a bit, however In Paris alone, I’ve scanned over 500 items. Nevertheless, my assortment stretches past one metropolis. I’ve tracked down Invaders in New York, Amsterdam, and Tokyo, the place the mosaics mix superbly into solely completely different city landscapes.
Listed below are my scores:

Wrap Up: House Invaders
House Invaders have remodeled how I see and expertise Paris. What began as a playful hunt for pixelated mosaics become a deeper appreciation for the town’s vibrant road artwork and hidden particulars.
Whether or not you’re an area or a customer, exploring Paris by the lens of those Invaders provides a novel strategy to have interaction with the town, turning on a regular basis walks into thrilling treasure hunts.
Subsequent time you’re wandering by Paris, search for, and also you may simply spot a brand new Invader. And who is aware of? It might be the beginning of your personal obsession.
Don’t hesitate and observe my profile on the app, it’s salutfromparis


Parisienne since 2006 🩷
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