Paris, Stores

IKEA takes over Paris Métro!

March 13, 2010 by

Clever IKEA have read commuters’ minds and made the underground more like home.  For two weeks, four Paris Métro platforms will host relaxing pop-up lounges with dozens of sofas lamps and wallpaper bookcases.

IKEA are promoting their best selling Ektorp and Karlstad sofas in some of the busiest stations in central Paris and they must be pretty confident that they’re good enough to withstand all the grime, sticky hands and jumping kids for two weeks!

From what I’ve seen in Paris on my travels, they have major points over the London transport system, with heaters in the main train stations, generally larger platforms and now pop-up lounges which just wouldn’t work in London.

Saying that, the number of people sleeping rough in the Paris metro stations in the evenings come winter is quite startling, so whether IKEA like it or not, at least they’ll have somewhere a bit more comfortable to rest.

If you’re in Paris, you can rest your weary bones on the platforms of  Saint-Lazare, Champs-Elysées Clémenceau, Concorde and Opéra.

Whether IKEA’s sofa sales will increase remains to be seen, but what a brilliant publicity stunt!

Photos via

2 comments

2 Comments

  • Reply W[r]iteNoiseNI March 15, 2010 at 9:29 am

    This whole pop up thing is very odd – reveals something very superficial and short attention span-like about culture at the min…it’s all fast fix and disposable. is it the new equivalent of fast food now we’re all worried about obesity? or a response to the recession? your thoughts please, Chérie… xx

    • Reply cheriecity March 15, 2010 at 10:28 am

      I reckon it can be fun to come across something unexpected, but they should have some kind of cultural relevance. Otherwise, what’s the difference between a pop-up and a temporary stall selling Red Bull?
      Better ones have been Sketch cafe at the RCA, as they used found furniture and cardboard tables – everything was recyclable. They also made good use of the space and facilities, so no mini kitchens were installed. It was also loads more affordable than the actual restaurant, so I guess more democratic.

      With the IKEA one, it would be interesting to see if they get rid of the manky old sofas responsibly. I guess I’m all for pop-ups if they bring a unique experience or are done creatively.

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