Paris has 28 commercial establishments per 1,000 inhabitants, with a notable rise in cafes and food businesses, while traditional retail and offices decline.
Commercial density in Paris
Paris has 28 commercial establishments per 1,000 inhabitants, including restaurants, cafes, bars, medical offices, and other services. This figure comes from the 10th survey on commerce in Paris, conducted by the Apur (Parisian Urban Planning Workshop), the City of Paris, and the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Growth in dining and drinking spots
The number of bars, cafes, and restaurants in Paris has increased by 3.6% over three years and by 24.6% between 2000 and 2026, reaching 15,435 establishments. This growth is especially visible in neighborhoods with large student and tourist populations.Restaurants lead in density
According to Insee, Paris has 9.8 restaurants per 1,000 inhabitants, significantly more than provincial cities like Bordeaux, Lyon, and Marseille. However, nationally, 7,300 restaurants were placed in judicial recovery or liquidation in 2025, a 35% increase compared to the average from 2010 to 2019.Shift in bar and cafe types
The increase in cafes and bars is mainly due to the rise of coffee shops and hookah bars, while traditional cafes are declining. Businesses that compete directly with online commerce and digitalization are disappearing from Parisian streets, with few exceptions.Decline in retail and services
Clothing stores have decreased by 5% over three years, home equipment stores by 5%, and banks, insurance offices, travel agencies, and temporary work agencies have also declined. Over the longer term (2000-2026), these declines are more pronounced, with clothing stores shrinking by 23%, home equipment stores by 44%, leisure/culture by 20%, and hardware stores by 35%.Growth in food businesses
Food businesses, particularly bakeries, chocolate shops, roasters, and ice cream shops, have seen a notable increase, with 8,098 such businesses in Paris. This represents a 14% increase between 2000 and 2026, driven in part by a preference for nearby shopping since the Covid-19 health crisis.Local shopping trends
Parisians have favored small specialized shops over convenience stores and supermarkets since the pandemic. The city's dense network of local businesses means 94% of Parisians live within five minutes' walk of a bakery. However, some food sector activities are declining, such as the number of butchers, which dropped by 17 in one year, and organic stores, which have decreased since 2023 after a strong rise between 2017 and 2020.Health and beauty sector growth
The health and beauty sectors have also experienced growth, with more than 3,000 dedicated shops, a 26% increase over the period. Ground-floor medical offices have increased to 2,280, a 99% increase between 2000 and 2026.Rising vacancy rates
The vacancy rate for commercial spaces in Paris has increased to 11.7% in 2026, up from 10.9% in 2023. This includes 9,725 empty spaces, with 1,402 under renovation in April 2026, which reduced the vacancy rate to 10.0%. Despite economic challenges, the increase in vacant spaces has been limited.
