On our most recent visit to Paris, we had the pleasure of meeting Stéphanie Chopin, director of one of the French capital's most iconic English-language bookshops: Smith and Son, located at 248 rue de Rivoli.
A passionate advocate for history and heritage, Stéphanie first discovered Genius Loci medals at our debut appearance at the Salon International du Patrimoine Culturel in 2023. Since then, she has installed 20 medals throughout the bookshop to tell the fascinating story of this memory-laden place.
Stéphanie’s idea is as elegant as it is inventive: to invite visitors to explore the bookshop in a playful, meaningful way. Several medals have been placed at recently restored historic spots, offering visitors a unique immersion in the venue’s past. She enthuses: “It’s incredibly fun to do — and deeply rewarding!”
But the project goes even further. Stéphanie is planning to develop a fully-fledged heritage trail with an additional 15 to 16 medals, guiding visitors on a treasure-hunt journey through the bookshop’s hidden gems. The trail could even offer a reward to those who complete it. We can’t wait to hear more about this exciting initiative in the months ahead!
This partnership between Smith and Son and Genius Loci promises to breathe new life into this iconic space, offering visitors an unforgettable and enriching experience in the heart of Paris.
Smith & Son Bookshop
248 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
https://www.smithandson.com/
La mission de Genius Loci est de rendre accessible la valorisation du patrimoine de proximité au plus grand nombre.
Nos prix se veulent abordables pour les villes, régions et petits villages. Pour le prix d’un seul panneau touristique classique il est possible de déployer plusieurs dizaines de nos médailles.
Il est possible d’acquérir uniquement un pack de 20 médailles, ou de nous confier un mandat plus large basé sur un accompagnement, qui inclu un atelier citoyen et un groupe WhatsApp d’entraide dédié à votre projet.
All prices are detailed in our brochure:
Pack
Medals
- 20 medals & the digital solution
- Personalised medals
- Content hosting
- Training videos
Pack
Support package
- 60 medals & the digital solution
- Genius Loci PRO included (1 year)
- Content hosting
- Personalised medals
- An on-site workshop with citizens in your municipality
- 1 dedicated technical contact
- WhatsApp group with assistance
AboutGenius Loci
2,000 years ago, the Romans believed every place was protected by a Genius Loci, the spirit of place.
Today, “genius loci” refers to the unique atmosphere of a place – its character, its history. The term is particularly used in architecture.
We have built on this idea to create a tool for showcasing and digitising heritage – driven by citizens themselves.
Founded in Switzerland by the designers of Design Sprint Ltd, Genius Loci SA finally makes hyperlocal destinations attractive. Truly affordable for municipalities, associations and local authorities.
