In La Defense of modern Paris (La Defense)

Member Name: apuskiduski

Product:	La Defense
Date:	01/03/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning architecture, appeals to kids,amazing views from the top of the Grande Arche

Disadvantages: Outside the centre of Paris

La Defense is the 'new' commercial district of Paris, which provides a sharp contrast in its architectural style to that of the traditional iconic buildings of the capital. There's no doubt about its highly experimental nature. I believe it was an experiment that paid off and provides visitors with a truly outstanding environment. Sadly it's still not that well known as a haven for tourists, which is a shame, as these buildings deserve to be visited rather than viewed from afar.

The Grande Arch is at the end of an almost straight line which starts at the Louvre and passes through the arch of the Arc de Triomphe.

This quarter of Paris gets its name from an original monument by Barrias which celebrated the defence of Paris in 1871. Unfortunately the monument was removed in the building work.

There are three main areas of La Defense.
1. The business area separated into 11 zones. Since 1964, 48 towers have been built which can be occupied by 900 companies.

2. The park area. This covers housing, office, sports facilities and botanical gardens. The architecture is astounding.

3. The Grande Arche
This has been a highly controversial building in the scheme of things. It was President Miterrand who chartered its development and it was the last ever project of Otto von Spreckelsen, a Danish architect and the only one he completed in France. Perhaps the stress of the backlash finished him off?

The Arche has several amazing facts if you're into your buildings.

- It's a three sided building, creating a giant empty cube within its structure. This open cube is 110m or 361feet wide which is large enough to house the whole of Notre Dame to the top of its highest point.
- Its 300,000t weight is carried on 12 piles sunk into the ground below which must have been a nightmare for the builders with everything that's beneath Paris's surface.
- Scenic lifts enable visitors to gain access to the rooftop
- At the top of the building there are galleries, an information/presentation area, a restaurant and a library
- You can experience totally awesome views from the top.

Currently the cost for going up the arch is 10 Euros for adults, 8.50 for children. You can get deals for groups which makes it cheaper though.

For more information see http://www.grandearche.com/international/english.h tml

There's more to the immediate area of La Defense, however, than initially meets the eye and it would be worth your while to get some additional information from the main precinct or from the Metro exit on Esplanade de la Defense.

There is a mammoth pedestrianised area that enables the visitor with a couple of hours to enjoy the phenomenal architecture and a variety of modern sculptures. If you see the area as a living museum or open air gallery I think you've got the idea.

The artwork that you can admire includes a metal sculpture, by Miyawaki, made up of 25 columns meshed with a tangle of stainless steel wire called Cesar's Thumb.

There's also 'Mechanical Bird' by Philalaos on the terrace which is amazing to watch.

In the centre of the Esplanade there is a decorative fountain by Agam. This is timetabled to burst into life, accompanied by lights and music. We sat and watched this at various times as we were staying in Fraser Suites Harmonie, which is located in La Defense, but it's obviously best after dark. (Not so good if you only have a couple of hours in the afternoon though).

For those who love shopping La Defense has a good selection of outlets, including a Jeff de Bruge chocolate shop (yum), in the Palais de la Defense (CNIT). Although it is the Centre for Industry and Technology there is a shopping arcade in here that could satisfy anyone's need for retail therapy.

Another interesting building is Les Miroirs, by Henri La Fonta. The fountain here is made up of 10 tubes decorated with mosaics. It is believed to be the largest mosaic in the world, hence its name Grande Mosaique. If you walk out onto the patio area of this building, you can see the Poissons Tower which has a giant clock-barometer on the side, giving weather readings for the whole of Paris. Blue means the weather will be variable, green indicates fine and red (quite logical really) not too good, I'm afraid.

Our favourite part of La Defense had to be The Bassin Takis which greets you as you exit the Esplanade de la Defense Metro station. This is a beautiful stretch of water that reflects the multicoloured lights of 49 flexible tubes. The effect is stunning at any time of day. Here we often rested awhile to sit, aghast, at the sheer size of the Grande Arche and the beauty of the city of Paris in general. It is a vista in a million.

I hope this taster of La Defense has made you fancy a couple of hours there. It's very easy to get to on Line 1 or A of the Metro and in my view would be a sin to miss.

Summary: Not to be missed.