Viparis

What Viparis does

Viparis is a private French SAS (founded 1972; registered capital €110.2M) operating as the European leader in business tourism through a portfolio of 10 major event venues across the Greater Paris region. Its portfolio spans congress centers (Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris Convention Centre), exhibition centers (Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris Le Bourget, Paris Nord Villepinte), historic and boutique venues (Hotel Salomon de Rothschild, Les Salles du Carrousel beneath the Louvre), and modern experiential spaces (CNIT Forest, La Serre, Espace Champerret), collectively offering over 340,000 m² of exhibition space and hosting 700+ events with 8-10 million visitors annually. The company serves event organizers, international associations, large corporations, sports bodies, and government clients with end-to-end event hosting from small corporate meetings to Olympic-scale productions, including anchors such as Paris 2024 Olympics (1M+ spectators), VivaTech, Paris Air Show, Paris Motor Show, COP21, and CIGRE.

The underlying platform combines physical venue infrastructure with technical AV capabilities (Dante/ST2110 networks, adaptive soundproof partitions, digital walls, LED installations) and a services stack covering audiovisual/multimedia, catering, logistics, customer reception, health/safety/security, signage, and cleaning. The CNIT Forest digital forest (LED-lit subterranean venue) and La Serre digital wall (8 HD screens since July 2024) illustrate the company's investment in immersive venue technology. A premium sub-brand, Viparis Emotions, extends the offering into exclusive experiences and venue privatization. Viparis is jointly owned by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield group, giving it institutional public-sector backing combined with commercial real estate expertise.

Viparis monetizes through negotiated venue rental contracts, custom quote-based pricing for event organizers, ticketing and entertainment revenue at Palais des Congrès de Paris (3,700-seat Grand Amphitheatre) and Les Boutiques du Palais, and ancillary event services. Its go-to-market combines sales-led direct engagement (Head of Business Development plus four Business Developers and International Business Development Managers) with event-driven demand generation anchored by flagship events. Distribution leverages the Paris Leaders Club referral network of French researchers (founded 2016 with Paris je t'aime Convention Bureau), strategic alliances with Accor and GL events on sustainability, and partnerships with Louvre Museum and Paris La Défense. The company reports 350-380 employees across three divisions (Commercial and Marketing, Operations and Real Estate, Support Functions) with 12-year average tenure, holds ISO 20121 certification since 2014 (first globally in its sector), and is actively executing a multi-year modernization including the Porte de Versailles Destination 2028 program expanding capacity 25% by 2028.

Name

Viparis

Legal name

Viparis Le Palais des Congrès de Paris, SAS

Website

https://viparis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Viparis operates 10 major event venues across Greater Paris, including Palais des Congrès de Paris and Paris Convention Centre, hosting 700+ trade fairs, congresses, and exhibitions that attract 8-10 million visitors annually for organizers, associations, and corporations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Management

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas) (THAHAAAF), Specialty & Historic Venues (Landmarks, Estates) (THAHAAAK), Specialty & Entertainment Venue Property Management (BPAJAGAO)

Keywords

• Event venue management
• Trade fair hosting
• Congress center operations
• Exhibition space rental
• Business tourism services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental and Event Hosting: Primary revenue from renting out 10 major event venues for exhibitions, trade fairs, congresses, corporate events, and public shows. Revenue generated from space rental, catering services, and ancillary services at venues.
2. Event Services: Supporting services including audiovisual and multimedia, catering for exhibitors and general public, cleaning, customer reception, health/safety/security, logistics, and signage/advertising provided to event organizers.
3. Ticketing and Entertainment: Revenue from shows and ticketing at venues like Palais des Congrès de Paris (Grand Amphitheatre with 3,700 seats) and Les Boutiques du Palais shopping center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Viparis operates 10 major event venues across the Greater Paris region—including Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris Le Bourget, Paris Convention Centre, CNIT Forest, Espace Champerret, Hotel Salomon de Rothschild, La Serre, and Les Salles du Carrousel. The company rents event space and delivers supporting services for trade fairs, exhibitions, congresses, corporate events, and public shows, hosting over 700 events and more than 8 million visitors annually.

Product overview

Viparis operates a portfolio of 10 major event venues across Greater Paris (CNIT Forest, Espace Champerret, Hotel Salomon de Rothschild, La Serre, Les Salles du Carrousel, Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris Convention Centre, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris Le Bourget, and Paris Nord Villepinte), positioning itself as the European leader in business tourism. The venues range from congress centers and exhibition halls to historic mansions and modern glass pavilions, collectively hosting over 700 events and 8 million visitors annually. Complementing the venue portfolio, Viparis offers support services (audiovisual, logistics, catering, cleaning, reception, security, signage) through its Solutions division, and premium event experiences via its Viparis Emotions sub-brand. This platform-plus-services architecture enables Viparis to provide end-to-end event hosting from small corporate meetings to large-scale international exhibitions and congresses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNIT Forest Subterranean digital forest venue in La Défense with 10,000 sqm of modular space across 4 levels, 2 amphitheaters (726 and 1,192 seats), 4 meeting rooms, 17 conference rooms, and 2 multipurpose spaces, with LED-lit digital tree installations.
• Espace Champerret Exhibition venue in Paris's 17th arrondissement near Neuilly-sur-Seine with three single-story halls (1,330 to 5,000 sqm each), 3 conference rooms (100 to 400 people), and a 250 sqm reception gallery.
• Hotel Salomon de Rothschild Belle Époque private mansion classified as a historical monument near the Champs-Élysées, offering 3 rooms (65 to 115 sqm), capacity for 800 people in cocktails configuration, a 500 sqm conference room, and 4,000 sqm of gardens and outdoor spaces.
• La Serre Glass rooftop event space at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with 530 sqm outdoor terrace, 640 sqm reception space, 220 sqm greenhouses, 440 sqm digital greenhouse, and an immersive digital wall featuring 8 HD screens.
• Les Salles du Carrousel Event venue beneath the Louvre Museum with 6,635 sqm of modular interior space, 4 multi-purpose spaces (750 to 1,900 sqm each), retractable bleachers from 500 to 2,200 seats, and a spine-leaf audiovisual network supporting Dante and ST2110 protocols.
• Palais des Congrès de Paris Major congress venue near the Champs-Élysées with 18,000 m² exhibition halls, 4 amphitheatres (370 to 3,700 seats), 22 conference rooms (100 to 380 people), 82 meeting rooms, and a 3,700-seat Grand Amphitheatre, hosting over 200 national and international events annually.
• Paris Convention Centre Convention center with 70,163 m² total space and unobstructed Eiffel Tower views, featuring 4 interconnected levels, a 5,200-seat plenary room, modular partitions allowing up to 30 rooms, 22 meeting rooms, and adaptive soundproof partitions.
• Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Europe's leading exhibition center with 169,400 m² of exhibition space (expanding to 210,970 m² by 2028), 5 pavilions, over 5.5 million visitors annually, and 200 events per year, located in Paris intramuros.
• Paris Le Bourget Exhibition center with 250,000 sqm outdoor space and 86,242 sqm exhibition space across 5 halls, home to the International Paris Air Show, COP21, and Paris 2024 International Broadcast Center.
• Paris Nord Villepinte Largest exhibition center in France with 250,000 sqm modular interior space, 360,000 sqm outdoor space, 9 halls, 200,000 sqm green spaces, 2 amphitheaters (up to 628 seats), 38 meeting rooms, and HQE-certified Hall 7 with green roof.
• Viparis Emotions Premium event experiences including The Avant-Scène (private lounge at Palais des Congrès), Grand Amphitheatre privatization for dinners and cocktails, and exclusive venue access extensions for hotels and event spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8+ million visitors annually across Viparis venues
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• RnKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2024Strategic partnership with RnK, expert in design, project management and operational deployment of international sporting events. This collaboration enhances Viparis' ability to host sporting events and coordinate them effectively. RnK previously organized the first major World Chase Tag event in France at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles during TwitchCon 2023. Laurent Chiron (Executive Director of Viparis Développement) and Alexandre Ferracci (CEO of RnK) signed the partnership to bring more innovative sporting events to Paris.
• Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic GamesflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 July 2023Viparis became an official supporter of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Viparis venues hosted Olympic events: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (South Paris Arena) hosted boccia, goalball, weightlifting, para table tennis, table tennis, and volleyball. Paris Nord Villepinte (North Paris Arena) hosted boxing, pentathlon fencing, and sitting volleyball. Paris Le Bourget served as International Broadcast Center. Palais des Congrès was the Main Olympic Press Center. Over 1 million spectators attended events at Viparis venues.
• AccorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2023Partnership renewal between Viparis and Accor to promote destination Paris. Accor operates hotels in the Paris region, complementing Viparis venues for event attendees. Hotels near Paris Expo Porte de Versailles include Eklo, Mama Shelter, Novotel, and Motel One. The partnership supports the ecosystem around Viparis venues.
• Paris eSport Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2023Viparis joined the new eSport task force to propel Paris to a leadership position in hosting major eSport events. Initiative supports diversification of events hosted at Viparis venues.
• GL eventsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2021Low-carbon approach partnership between Viparis and GL events, two major players in the event industry. Collaboration focused on sustainability and reducing carbon footprint of events hosted at both companies' venues.
• Paris je t'aime – Convention BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Viparis founded Paris Leaders Club in partnership with Paris je t'aime – Convention Bureau in 2016. The club brings together French researchers and professors who organize international scientific conferences, positioning them as ambassadors for Paris as a congress destination.
• Louvre MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Salles du Carrousel is located beneath the Louvre Museum, creating a unique partnership between event venue and world-renowned museum. Event attendees have proximity to one of the world's most visited museums.
• Paris La DéfensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNIT Forest is located in La Défense, Europe's largest business district. Partnership with Paris La Défense for urban development and event promotion. District offers 3 million m² of office space, 500+ companies, 17 hotels (2,600+ rooms), and cultural attractions like Cité de l'Histoire.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GL events: French-headquartered global events company operating exhibition venues, supplying event infrastructure and organizing trade shows. Most directly comparable competitor to Viparis in the French and European MICE market; the two are also low-carbon partners since 2021.
• Messe Frankfurt: One of the world's largest trade fair organizers and venue operators (Frankfurt, plus global venues). Comparable to Viparis in operating large-scale congress/exhibition venues and hosting flagship trade fairs across multiple industry verticals.
• RX (Reed Exhibitions): Global event organizer running exhibitions and conferences across 30+ countries. Direct competitor in trade show hosting and congress organization, with overlapping flagship shows (technology, retail, design) that overlap with Viparis customers.
• Fira de Barcelona: Operates major convention and exhibition venues in Barcelona (Gran Via, Montjuïc). Directly competes for European congress and trade show bookings against Viparis with comparable scale and Mediterranean tourist appeal.
• Fiera Milano: Italy's leading exhibition and congress venue operator (Rho Fiera Milano). Direct competitor for European congress bookings, especially for design, fashion and dual-economy events overlapping with Viparis's Paris fashion/furniture customer base.
• Excel London: Major London convention and exhibition venue hosting trade shows and conferences. Direct competitor for UK and international congress business; comparable capacity, urban location, and transport connectivity profile.
• Messe München: Operator of Messe München, one of the world's largest exhibition centers (bauma, IFAT, ISPO). Direct competitor for major European trade show bookings across industrial, environmental and consumer verticals that overlap with Viparis.
• Koelnmesse: Cologne-based exhibition and congress venue operator hosting events like Gamescom, Anuga, and IDS. Comparable mid-to-large venue operator competing for European congress bids and recurring trade show tenants.

Others

• Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield: Viparis's co-owner (jointly with CCI Paris Île-de-France). Listed commercial real estate group specializing in flagship retail and event destinations; provides commercial property expertise and asset management context relevant to Viparis's venue portfolio economics.

Regional players

• Palexpo Geneva: Geneva's exhibition and congress center operator. Comparable MICE venue business model and European positioning, but geographically distinct from Viparis's Paris footprint; competes for Swiss and international association congresses.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/viparis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/viparis
• Xx.com/viparisofficiel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Viparis