Esplanade et Parvis de la Défense

If you are La Defense, and then it is worth a stroll to check out the LARGE ART INSTALLATIONS!

There is an impressive collection of enormous art installations that are really world class and FREE.

Download the pdf for a self guided tour, have a drink on the Terrace! Off the beaten path of Paris for sure!

http://www.ladefense.fr/sites/default/files/kiosque/pdf/defacto_ang_guide_oeuvresart_bd.pdf

I've visited La Défense for several years now. When I first started, I found it weird, stark, big and confusing. But, each time I like it more and more to the point where I am now a HUGE fan - an advocate in fact.

La Defense:
+ It's Europe's largest purpose-built business district

+ Started construction 55 years ago in 1958

+ Hosts 180,000 workers daily

+ Home to 1,500 corporate head offices including 15 of the top 50
companies in the world

These statistics are simply the business end of the deal. The real star is the space itself. The buildings and architecture are fantastic! The esplanade - the open area - is among the finest in the world. It is surrounded by and contains sculptures and buildings who's color and vibrancy change according to weather and lighting. On gloomy and overcast days, people moving across the stark landscape look like a scene from Fahrenheit 451.

On partly cloudy days, the fantastic Grande Arche (La Grande Arche de la Défense) almost flashes white to gray as the sun moves across its face. The Grande Arche follows the Age of Enlightenment tradition of "alignment" and there is a direct line through this through the Arc de Triomphe and onto the main court of the Louvre - fantastic!

About the Grande Arche from Wikipedia:
"It complets the line of monuments that forms the Axe historique running through Paris. The Arche is turned at an angle of 6.33° on this axis. The most important reason for this turn was technical: With a métro station, an RER station, and a motorway all situated directly underneath the Arche, the angle was the only way to accommodate the structure's giant foundations. From an architectural point of view, the turn emphasizes the depth of the monument, and is similar to the turn of the Louvre at the other end of the Axe historique."

Additional Points:
+ Many famous sculptures to explore including Alexander Calder, Takis, Shelomo Selinger, Patrick Blank (Green Wall). I will say I don't get Cesar's Thumb and find it a little weird - but that's just me.

+ Major shopping area

+ Cool places to eat and hang out

+ The winter festival is about a billion times better than the one along the Champ Elyses. It's way less touristy. I had a fantastic time there one bitterly cold December evening in 2012.

Take the M1 metro 30 minutes from the Louvre. It is that simple! Go for an hour or go for a day. Or, like me, go again and again for a lifetime.

Located outside the central area of Paris, it actually is not that hard to reach La Defense, especially given the metro station with the same name!
It actually is the new business district of Paris, think Canary Wharf in London and that would be the general feeling. La Defense provides a good alternative to central Paris, and the fact it has its own arch (the Grand Arch) makes it more attractive. I actually found the Grand Arch as interesting as the Arc de Triomphe, they obviously have different underlying meanings, one being historical, the other being modern.


You can also get a decent view of the Arc de Triomphe and Champs d'Elysees, yet another good photo opportunity.


Aside from this, there is little reason to hang around in the La Defense area, it may be worth the trip, but not for a whole day.

La Defense isn't one of the most obvious tourist areas to visit in Paris. I liked it and depending on have much time you have to spend in the city and time of year I would recommend a trip to the edge of the city. I visited La Defense at Christmas when there were Christmas markets. The markets were great very festive and vast, you could easily spend a few hours there. Also at La Defense there is a massive shopping centre, this is pretty generic and nothing particularly French about it, however if the weather is bad this shopping centre could be handy.

Am not sure why this is classed as a day trip - Its a piece of art or a landmark that is easily accessable via the metro - Maybe because there is not much else in this district of Paris - Suggest going early in the morning - One reason - Thats when I went and it seemed like I had the place to myself - Its breathtaking and some of the views are stunning from here - highly recommended