In order to understand the evolution of geography and its relationship to society, one needs to fully take into account its discursive dimension. With this perspective in mind, the limits of the notion of paradigm are indicated as a first step. Then, the very diversity of geographic genres is considered as an asset, and their role as intermediaries between societal expectations and the organization of research is underlined. Finally, the discursive character of geography is shown not only as a tool for approaching the history of the discipline, but also as an important means to study empirically the dynamics of places and the resulting landscapes.