Fabricating a stand for a Paris show comes with practicalities that catch out first-time exhibitors — the venues are strict, official suppliers are sometimes mandatory, and security procedures are real. Paris hosts major fairs at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (Maison&Objet, SIAL, VivaTech) and Paris Nord Villepinte (JEC World, Première Vision, EquipHotel). We’ve built at JEC in Paris ourselves, so here’s what to know before fabrication starts.
Some services must go through the venue
French venues often require certain services — electrical connection, rigging, sometimes specific trades — to be ordered through official suppliers, not your own contractor. This affects what your fabricator can and can’t do on site, and it has to be planned into the build and the budget. Confirm the venue’s official-supplier list early; discovering it during build-up is how budgets and tempers blow.
Security and access are tightly run
Paris venues run strict access and security procedures, especially at large international fairs. Build-up passes, vehicle access slots and badge rules are enforced. A fabricator who knows these venues plans the install around them; one who doesn’t loses build-up time at the gate, and build-up time is the one thing you can’t buy back.
Fire and build rules apply
As across Europe, materials must meet fire-behaviour standards and structures need to be sound and, where tall or complex, approved. Fabrication has to account for this from the drawing, not on site — the same discipline as Germany, with France’s own paperwork on top.
Fabricate in Frankfurt, install in Paris
We fabricate at our Frankfurt facility and ship to Paris — EU road freight makes this straightforward — installing on site with our crew and within the venue’s contractor rules. We plan around the official-supplier requirements and access slots in advance rather than discovering them during build-up.
Budget guide
As a working guide, for the fabrication and install:
- 18 m² custom: €5,500–€11,000 plus freight and any venue-mandated services
- 36 m² custom: €15,000–€26,000 plus freight and venue-mandated services
Venue-mandated electrical and rigging are billed by the official supplier, separately from fabrication. These figures cover design, build, graphics, lighting, install and dismantle. They exclude the floor-space rental you pay the organiser, the electrical and services you order through the venue, and specialty add-ons such as large AV or an espresso bar.
Related
- Benefits of a design agency in Paris
- All about the stall fabrication process
- Custom exhibition stands
- Hub: Europe exhibition list
Frequently asked questions
What’s different about stand fabrication for Paris shows?
French venues often require certain services — electrical, rigging, some trades — to go through official venue suppliers rather than your own contractor, and access and security are tightly run. Both have to be planned into the build and budget before fabrication starts.
Can a German fabricator build a stand for a Paris show?
Yes — we fabricate in Frankfurt and ship to Paris by EU road freight, installing on site within the venue’s contractor rules. The key is planning around the official-supplier requirements and access slots in advance.
