Paris Atlas

In 1900, Larousse published «Paris-Atlas» a portrait of the city on the eve of the second Olympic Games of the modern era and the fifth World Fair held in Paris. Directed by archivist and paleographer Fernand Bournon, it offered a granular, methodical description of the city through a set of 28 original maps and over 500 illustrations. This publication, which was pre-sold to consumers before being completed, was so successful that a second edition was produced for the 200th anniversary of the French revolution. The second volume, just like its predecessor, was comprised of 25 booklets: one per arrondissement, one about the city’s history, and four about its relationship with the rest of France.

Given how famous this atlas was among Paris lovers, the Olympics were a perfect opportunity to repeat this mapping exercise using our updated tools. This version of the Atlas represents the current state of the city and its recent architectural, urban, sociological, and environmental changes. With about 50 entries, «Paris Atlas 2024» opens up to the Greater Paris Metropolitan Area, exploring everything from its soils to the atmosphere. Reading through it, you will see how the city’s current challenges are related: soil permeability, water reservoirs, vegetation, canopy index, shade, and urban resilience against climate change.

These 150 brand new maps are a source of connection and food for thought, in an attempt to understand the city’s ongoing transformations. By looking at housing supply, we see a sharp increase in secondary and occasional residences, accounting for recent demographic trends. Paris has 2,133,111 inhabitants, slightly more than 25 years ago (2.12 million) but fewer than 40 years ago (2.17 million). Despite increased housing supply, more empty homes means fewer primary residences, and thus, less population. Access to housing is the number one source of demographic balance, in a cosmopolitan city with 25% of its population aged 20 to 34, and two thirds, born somewhere else.

The Atlas is also a snapshot of the current state of affairs in Paris, based on data provided by a number of partners and institutions. Paris is a capital for culture and tourism, with its 53 cabarets, 78 cinemas, 130 museums, 232 theaters and live entertainment venues, 75 public libraries, 1,859 historical monuments, and especially, 25 million tourists per year, including 11 million from France. The city a hotspot for academia and business, too, with 960 academic institutions and 17.6 million square meters of office space, including 40% in the Central Business District. As part of its solidarity policy, Paris has financed 120,000 new council housing units since 2001, 34% located in central and western arrondissements, and dedicates 25% of its investment budget to working-class neighborhoods. Paris is also a culinary capital, with 15,200 bars, brasseries and restaurants, 120 of them Michelin-starred. 93% of Parisians live within five minutes of a bakery.

The Atlas and its data speak to the city’s features and plans, but also the way it is used. Its policy to reconquer public spaces, streets, squares, riverbanks and canals for pedestrians, cyclists, and plants reflects a downward trend in car ownership (less than 35% of households have a car) and changes in transportation habits. Walking is on the rise, accounting for over 65% of trips, as well as cycling (+18% between 2022 and 2023). These changes in public spaces also include new trends, such as the 4,400 temporary terraces built every summer, and long-term adaptations such 220 green school streets that are closed to vehicular traffic, 150 hectares of green spaces opened to the public over the past 20 years, a contribution to developing biodiversity in the city.

Last but not least, the Atlas reveals what keeps the city alive. For instance, it maps the water supply infrastructure, for drinking and non-drinking water, as well as energy and transit facilities. It shows how generous the city’s underground is: 3,900 tons of food every day to feed the city, 180 million cubic meters of drinking water per year, 2.5 million cubic meters of water treated every day in the Greater Paris. It also reflects inequality in energy consumption, and the efforts needed to collect 1.04 million tons of household waste every year. These maps provide an alternate take on the city’s geography, which is a key to understanding its current situation.

For over a century, Paris has been easy on the eye for tourists, artists, photographers, and locals alike, especially during major events. However, it takes maps to understand the city, past and present. As Paris hosts the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, «Paris Atlas 2024» hopes to help Parisians know their city better and be better ambassadors for it.