Paris: La Cité de la Lumière*
Paris: La Cité de la Lumière is a two-player board game designed by José Antonio Abascal, beautifully illustrated by Oriol Hernández. Set in the enchanting city of Paris during the 1889 "Exposition Universelle," the game captures the era when electricity began illuminating the city, leading to its nickname "La Cité de la Lumière" or the City of Light.
Gameplay Overview
- Tile Placement: In the first phase, strategically place cobblestone tiles on the board.
- Building Phase: Construct buildings on your color or mixed spaces in the second phase.
- Optimize Lighting: Aim to position your buildings near as many streetlights as possible.
Special Features
- Historical Theme: Experience the charm of late 19th century Paris.
- Strategic Depth: Carefully plan your tile placement and building strategy.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The game features beautiful artwork capturing the essence of Parisian aesthetics.
Conclusion
Paris: La Cité de la Lumière offers a unique blend of historical theme and strategic gameplay. Players are challenged to cleverly use their tiles and buildings to capture the essence of Paris lit by the new wonder of electricity. The game is a tribute to the beauty of Paris at night, as players compete to have the most admired, well-lit buildings and win the hearts of the city's pedestrians. This game is perfect for those who enjoy strategic two-player games and are captivated by the historical and cultural allure of Paris.
Nominated for 3 awards.
- 👥 2 Players
- ⏱️ 30 Minutes
- 🧒 8+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
We like Paris: La Cité de la Lumière so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2026
- Position 73 in Best games released at SPIEL 2019 in Essen
- Position 31 in Best games released at SPIEL 2020 in Essen
- Position 30 in Best games where you fill in a grid
- Position 4 in The best action drafting board, card & dice games
- Position 76 in The Best Board Game Deals 💰 on Amazon Prime Day 2022!
- Position 18 in The best board games with historical background
- Position 30 in The best games in which you can cover a grid or area
- Position 16 in The best games set in France 🇫🇷
- Position 27 in The best games where you have to build a territory 🌏
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