Exploring New Horizons with LEGO Set 21044-1 Paris: Alternative Builds

From the iconic silhouette of the Eiffel Tower to the serene façade of Sainte-Germain, LEGO Set 21044-1 Paris offers an incredible palette of bricks that can be reimagined into a host of Parisian landmarks and creative twists on the City of Light. While the box art presents a beautifully arranged skyline—complete with the Musée du Louvre, Montparnasse Tower, and Grand Palais—builders around the world have taken the same 468 pieces and crafted everything from standalone monuments to whimsical tributes to pop culture. In this article, we dive into the possibilities unlocked by this set, highlighting five standout MOCs (My Own Creations) that use only (or almost only) your Paris inventory to transform your LEGO table into a miniature tour of Paris—and beyond.

The charm of alternative builds lies in their power to stretch our creativity. By focusing on individual landmarks or injecting a fresh narrative, these MOCs demonstrate how a limited palette of parts can yield nearly limitless outcomes. Take the Eiffel Tower Display by SFH_Bricks, for instance: using the same tan and dark bluish-gray elements, SFH_Bricks amplifies the tower’s lattice structure into a taller, more delicate display piece, perfect for spotlighting the set’s signature icon. Or consider Gare du Nord by rebrichitect, which repurposes arches and modified plates to capture the grandeur of one of Europe’s busiest train stations—showing how a few well-placed windows and slopes can evoke the bustle of Parisian transit.

Beyond true-to-life landmarks, builders have also ventured into more imaginative territory. Hollow Knight (Paris alt-build) by TonyAlmeida fuses the moody aesthetic of the indie video game with the set’s muted color scheme, crafting a gothic spire that feels equally at home in the Dream Realm or on the Seine banks. Meanwhile, Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés by rebrichitect and 21044 Louvre by Duesenjaeger91 both spotlight the set’s architectural versatility, rearranging bricks to bring forward the crisp lines and elegant profiles of two of Paris’s most storied institutions.

Whether you’re seeking a focused display piece, a fresh challenge that squeezes every drop of possibility from your parts bin, or a themed tribute that blends architecture with storytelling, the Paris set’s alternative builds offer fantastic inspiration.

21044 Eiffel Tower Display

Designer: SFH_Bricks
Get the instructions here

Gare du Nord

Designer: rebrichitect
Get the instructions here

21044 Louvre

Designer: Duesenjaeger91
Get the instructions here

Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Designer: rebrichitect
Get the instructions here

Hollow Knight (Paris alt-build)

Designer: TonyAlmeida
Get the instructions here

With these builds in hand, your LEGO Paris set can become more than a skyline—it becomes a creative launchpad for new stories, displays, and architectural explorations. Whether you choose to build a singular monument, recreate a bustling train station, or channel the spirit of your favorite video game, these MOCs prove that every LEGO set is only as limited as your imagination. Enjoy diving into these designs, and don’t be surprised if the next great Parisian landmark springs entirely from your own inventive twist on these classic bricks!