Cubism and business (La Defense)

Member Name: sympatic

Product:	La Defense
Date:	15/03/09 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice views and impresive architecture

Disadvantages: Empty at weekends

When you hear that La Defense is the new commercial area of he city of Paris and loacated a little way out of the actual centre you might wonder why you would want to go there just to see a load of suits heading off to work however it is worth checking out if you have the time for a couple of reasons.

Getting there is pretty easy as as it has an RER station on Line A and is also on the 1 line of the metro owever do check that your ticket covers this zone before travelling on the RER.

There are a few reasons why it is worth heading out to La Defense, it is recommended that you visit during the week as it becomes bit deserted at the weekend and could feel a bit threatening as well, the first reason is to visit La Grande Arche whch is basically a hollow cube and is a spectacular bit of design, you can travel by lift to the top for some spectacular views but we had already enjoyed a couple of spectacular views of Paris and did not want to pay to experience another.

Anyway the views from the steps leading up to it are pretty good as you look towards the other older Arche that Paris boasts and one I have alrday reviewed. Once nice idea when leaving is to hop on a bus and travel towards the Arche De Triomphe to get a view of Paris life and to see the swanky shops.

The buildings are all very moderbn glass constructions but also very varied and well designed, lots of fountains and water make for good photo opportunities with the sun and reflections, there are also scatterred about lots of unusual art exhibits and sculptures to see.

Finally thre are plenty of shops for those wanting to spend money and places to eat as well, what I like is the fact that European design flair and the French culture prevents this area being a souless commercial area and makes it a place worth visiting.

Summary: Commercial area but worth visiting