For two decades the ways of developing and regulating public spaces have been deeply renewed. But do they benefit all the city dwellers? Observing Paris' case, this paper displays how, in contradiction with the official goals of sharing space and mixing uses, public authorities valorize particular uses and privilege beautification, therefore defining who are the legitimate users. We also highlight how they establish at the same time specific rules to limit the appropriation of public spaces by some social groups that may be called "undesirables". Finally, such policy on public spaces helps to put in place a "public landscape" rather than to manage public spaces as such.