Imagine stepping into a futuristic cityscape, where towering skyscrapers reflect the bustling activity of businesses from around the globe.
This is La Défense, the heartbeat of Paris’ economy, and your gateway to understanding the world of international business. Like a chessboard full of strategic moves, La Défense is where companies play their biggest games.
Not only is it the business hub of Paris, but it is also packed with history and offers tons of artistic and cultural gems, cool sculptures, and even green spaces.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key landmarks of La Défense, take a peek at its vibrant culture, and give you insider tips to navigate this area like a pro.
The Historical Axis of Paris
If you were to take a bird’s eye view of Paris, you would see the Historical Axis of Paris, a 10-kilometer-long imaginary straight line that starts at the Louvre and ends at the center of La Grande Arche at La Défense.
This historical axis runs through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, continues along the Champs-Elysées, dashes through the Arc de Triomphe, and ends at La Défense.
The Historical Axis of Paris is a must-visit for tourists for several reasons. Not only does the Historical Axis of Paris offer breathtaking views of Paris, including the Tuileries Gardens, the River Seine, and the Esplanade – but it is also home to some of the most famous landmarks in Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées.
The Historical Axis of Paris is a great place to shop (and eat), with many high-end boutiques and restaurants located along the Champs-Elysées. This area is also easily accessible by public transportation, including the RER A, Metro Line 1, and Transilien.
⚡ Related Read: How to use the RER trains in Paris
La Grande Arche de la Défense
You may have heard of the Arc de Triomphe, but have you heard of its modern interpretation, La Grande Arche de la Défense?
This monumental arch, twice the size of the Arc de Triomphe, was built in 1989 as part of the bicentennial of the French Revolution. It is a cube shape, 110 meters on each side, made of concrete and covered with glass and Carrara marble.
Instead of honoring military victories, La Grande Arche is dedicated to humanitarian ideals. The structure symbolizes an open door to the world and is a visual representation of the French Republic’s motto: “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”.
The rooftop, which was closed for several years, has recently reopened with a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris, an exhibition area, and a restaurant.
La Grande Arche is located in the business district of La Défense and in the commune of Puteaux, to the west of Paris, France. It is the iconic monument of the district and is usually known as the Arche de la Défense or simply as La Grande Arche.
It was designed by Danish architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen, who won the design competition launched by President François Mitterrand.
💡 Fun fact: The famous Notre Dame Cathedral would easily fit inside La Grande Arche!
La Défense Outdoor Art Collection
If you’re an art lover, you’ll be pleased to know that La Défense boasts an impressive outdoor art collection.
The collection includes works by famous artists such as Calder, Miro, and César Baldaccini, whose iconic sculpture of a 40-foot thumb is a must-see.
In total, there are seventy pieces of contemporary artworks sprinkled throughout the district. The concept was an ambitious project initiated in 1958, just when the modernization of the area began.
Some of the works are found on the main place of La Défense, while others are hidden between skyscrapers. The collection is part of the La Défense Art Route and is an open-air museum that is free to visit.
L’Araignée Rouge – The Red Spider
If you’re visiting La Défense in Paris, you can’t miss the Red Spider, a 50-foot sculpture by American artist Alexander Calder.
The sculpture was commissioned in 1974 to give the main esplanade of La Défense a more human-scale feel. Calder, an engineer by training, built the sculpture based on six vertical panels that were welded in a factory and assembled on site, using special bolts designed by the artist himself.
Calder’s love affair with France began with his arrival in Paris in 1926 and continued until his death in 1976.
Green Spaces
Despite being known for its towering skyscrapers, La Défense boasts a surprising number of green spaces that provide a welcome respite from the concrete jungle. The district’s green spaces cover approximately 11 hectares, or nearly 35% of the pedestrian area, with more being added each year.
One such green space is the Parc Diderot, which covers 2½ acres with a garden set around a large waterfall and a collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and boxwoods cut into squares and other shapes. During spring, Japanese cherry trees blossom in Place de l’Iris, adding a pop of color to the district.
If you’re looking for a place to relax, Cours Gambetta features a small body of water, trees, and grass.
There’s even a vineyard at La Défense! Centuries ago, the district was home to some famous vineyards, and today, what remains is Clos de Chantecoq. In 2007, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were replanted on ten acres at La Défense.
In total, there are over a dozen green spaces, parks, and public spaces scattered throughout the district. These green spaces provide a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and offer a chance to connect with nature in the heart of one of Europe’s most expansive business areas.
Tour Initiale
The Tour Initiale is the oldest office tower in La Défense, standing at 109 meters high and completed in 1966. Its simple linear form reflects the restrictions placed on the design of buildings in La Défense at the time.
The unique glass curtain wall was created by engineer Jean Prouvé, and you can see the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson Wax Headquarters in Wisconsin with its rounded corners. At the time, the curved glass corners could only be made in the USA, whence they were shipped to Paris.
The tower was previously known as Tour Nobel and was renovated by the agency Valode and Pistre. It is located in the heart of La Défense and is close to other notable towers such as the CNIT and Tour First. It is a great example of the early architecture in La Défense and a must-see for architecture enthusiasts.
Coeur Défense
Coeur Défense is a 528-foot-high skyscraper in Paris La Defense, completed in 2001.
The building comprises two towers connected by an undulating form that breaks up the mass of the building, making it appear more slender.
The Coeur Défense is not the tallest building at La Défense, but it is the largest building in Europe with 350,000 m2 of floor space. The building boasts 126 plateaus of offices totaling almost 160,000 m2, and it houses many multinational companies, including Société Générale.
Coeur Défense is located at 10 Avenue André Prothin and is easily accessible by public transportation.
La Défense de Paris – The Sculpture
In 1878, a competition was held to create a monument to honor those who participated in the defense of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
The competition attracted hundreds of proposals from famous sculptors of the time, including Rodin. However, the jury chose Louis-Ernest Barrias’ design for the monument. This marked the beginning of a successful career for Barrias.
The La Défense de Paris sculpture is a monumental bronze statue that depicts the city of Paris as a woman dressed in the National Guard uniform, standing proudly. At her feet is a young girl who represents the suffering of civilians during the siege. Beside her is an injured soldier who tries to load his rifle, symbolizing the resistance of the people of Paris. This sculpture is a reminder of the bravery of the people of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.
Originally, the sculpture was placed in the middle of a busy six-lane traffic circle. However, in 1983 it was decided to move the sculpture to La Défense. Today, this piece of 19th-century art is situated on the esplanade, amidst all that modern art, and maintains an important place at the center of the district.
The La Défense de Paris sculpture is an important part of Parisian history and culture. It is a symbol of the city’s resilience and bravery during trying times. The sculpture is a must-see for anyone interested in Parisian history or art.
History of La Défense
You may be wondering: How did La Défense come about?
Well, in the 1960s, Paris city planners proposed building skyscrapers throughout the city to “echo the beauty of the Eiffel Tower.” However, the construction of the Tour Montparnasse in 1972, a controversial and massive 210-meter-high building, led to a public outcry, and further construction of skyscrapers within the Paris city limits was halted.
As a result, city planners looked westward, just two miles outside of Paris, to plan their future skyscraper city. The area they chose was La Défense, a business district located in the Hauts-de-Seine department, which includes the communes of Puteaux, Courbevoie, and La Garenne-Colombes.
Initially, buildings in La Défense were restricted to rectangular 30-floor-high structures, but over time, these restrictions were loosened. Today, there are 72 glass and steel buildings in La Défense, with 180,000 daily workers, and 3,500,000 square meters (38,000,000 square feet) of office space. La Défense is part of the Paris Metropolitan Area and is managed by the EPAD (Établissement public pour l’aménagement de la région de la Défense).
La Défense was not always a business district, and its history dates back to the Franco-Prussian War. During this war, the area was used as a defensive position by the French army. After the war, the area was used for agricultural purposes until the 1930s when the CNIT (Centre des nouvelles industries et technologies) was built. The CNIT was the first building in La Défense, and it played a significant role in the district’s development.
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[…] you can see the straight line of historical landmarks stretching from the Louvre Museum to the Grande Arche de La Défense. It’s a view that leaves visitors in awe, every single […]