Within Europe, the French capital is famous not only for its exceptional architectural and cultural heritage, but also for a modern business district called La Défense , located to the west of the city center and comparable to the City of London.
With great importance within the neighborhoods of Paris for its 3 million m2 of offices, some 1,500 companies, 150,000 employees, 2 million tourists a year and 11 hectares of green areas, today we want to tell you its story and why you can’t stop knowing him.
Brief history
The La Défense neighborhood in Paris began to take its first steps in the 1950s, when the authorities chose this area on the outskirts of Paris, whose purpose was mostly residential and industrial, to create an important financial district.
CNIT (National Center for Industries and Technologies) was built with its singular triangular vault shape , and then dozens of towers and skyscrapers began to rise simultaneously, giving a modern air and making a clear contrast with classic Paris.
In 1981, what was once the largest shopping center in Europe, Les Quatre Temps, was created, today the largest and most visited in France . In this area there are also some 60 works of contemporary art and some hanging gardens, as if it were an open-air museum.
In addition, to favor the flow of traffic and not obstruct the views of the Historical Axis, the “Dalle” was built, a platform that ingeniously hides all transport links and creates a pedestrian area that offers beautiful views of the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.
The central business district that makes up the La Défense area in Paris is not actually a French commune, since its territory is shared by three municipalities: Courbevoie, Nanterre and Puteaux, which are part of the Hauts-de-Seine department.
The origin of his name
As a curious fact, we tell you that the name of La Défense comes from a bronze statue with the same name, erected in 1883 by Louis-Ernest Barrias to commemorate the soldiers who defended Paris during the Franco-Prussian war. Who’d say?
What to see in La Defense
The skyscrapers in La Défense Paris are one of the main things to see in this district, and the one that attracts the most attention is the gigantic and impressive Arc de la Défense in Paris.
Opened in 1989, it is an office building that is 110 meters high by 112 meters deep. It is so large that it could contain Notre-Dame Cathedral within its arch, and is especially attractive for its contemporary outline of white marble .
You can go up to the Grand Arch every day from 10am to 7pm (last ascent at 6:30pm) and stroll along its 100m long terrace, before enjoying spectacular views of the French capital rivaled only by those offered by the iconic Eiffel Tower.
More places to visit in La Défense in Paris
Although this area is known for hosting the headquarters of numerous French and international companies, including the European Banking Authority, it is also an incredible place for sightseeing outside of central Paris, as is Disneyland Paris.
Among the best things to see in La Défense Paris we have the huge Les Quatre Temps shopping center, the bronze statue that gives the district its name and the beautiful André Malraux park, as well as some of the works of contemporary art scattered throughout the area.
In your search for these treasures you may come across César’s Pouce (thumb), Joan Miro’s characters, Yaacov Agam’s Fontaine Monumentale, a piece of the Berlin Wall and many more wall paintings, statues and different types of installations.
In the same way, we do not want to fail to mention the great Christmas market that takes place in La Défense every year, where you can find all kinds of crafts, details, gifts and a lot of typical food for these dates. It is the best plan if you are going to spend Christmas in Paris.
How to get to La Defense
The central business district of La Défense is really accessible by public transport. Next, we list all the possible ways to get there:
- RER train : line A, La Défense Grande Arche station.
- Metro : line 1, stations La Défense Grande Arche and Esplanade de la Défense.
- Tram: line 2, La Défense Grande Arche station.
- Bus: no. 73, 141, 158 and 159.
- Commuter train Transilien: lines U (La Défense-Verrière) and L (Paris Saint-Lazare-Versailles/Saint Nom La Bretèche)
Also, by 2024, it is estimated that the E line of RER trains, coming from Gare du Nord , will call at La Défense. So wherever you stay, it won’t be hard for you to get there.
Now that you know the importance of the modern neighborhood of La Défense and why you should definitely include it in your itinerary when you go on a trip to the French capital, what do you think if you continue discovering everything there is to see in Paris and the best options of accommodation?
