Situated on the outskirts of Paris, La Défense is a busy urban area that started life as an economic centre and has attracted thousands of Parisians who flock to the area for work, and business travellers who take advantage of the many hotels here.
The area is so much more than a collection of offices and business premises, though. The contemporary design on show here, in the architecture, landscaping and artworks on display, make it a fascinating area to visit, a world away from the classical styling of central Paris.
The Grand Arche is the centrepiece of La Défense. Designed as a modern version of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, this enormous cube-like construction towers over the area at more than 100 metres tall. This marble and glass structure is imposing at any time of day, but it comes alive at night when it is illuminated. It may be possible to climb up to the viewing platform for views across Paris, but this has been closed since 2011, so it’s worth checking before you visit.
La Défense’s airy boulevards are a haven for sculptures. Modern works such as César’s gigantic Le Pouce (The Thumb), the spectacular Le Grand Stabile Rouge (The Red Spider) by Calder and Miró’s colourful Deux Personnages Fantastiques (Two Fantastic Characters) are perfectly at home in this area, but the classic Parisian landscaping of the immaculate gardens also boasts some older pieces. The district gets its name from Louis Ernest Barrias’s bronze statue La Défense de Paris, which commemorates the soldiers who fought in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War. This statue dates from 1883 and sits on the edge of a pedestrian esplanade near the multi-coloured Agam fountain, providing a contrast against the modern skyscrapers surrounding it.
Shop 'til you drop at the Les Quatre Temps shopping centre! This is the largest mall in mainland Europe, with more than 185,000 square metres of retail space, and is home to many well-known stores and brands. If you aren’t in the mood for shopping, grab a bite to eat at one of the hundreds of restaurants in the centre, or visit the enormous cinema to take in a film. There are outdoor eating options available at the restaurants and cafés in Les Quatre Temps’ breezy outdoor terrace area – Le Dome.
La Défense is located on the western outskirts of Paris, along major bus, Metro and railway lines. It takes about 30 minutes to drive here from the city centre (but allow for traffic), and there’s plenty of on-street parking available.
