And why not talk about La Défense? For long periods this area was considered off tourists/visitors as indeed it is mostly a business pole ,one of the biggest in Europe. Over time, more was open for visitors alike and the Grande Arche had a lot to do with it. It is still a bit off the beaten path as most visitors stay in Paris proper even if included in the Paris tourist office offering, it is not in Paris. I wrote a more historical piece before and let me tell you more of what is here ,briefly.
It’s been a while not telling you on La Défense, Hauts-de-Seine dept 92 in the Île de France region. This was found out when working out of one of the towers there and realised there were more than high towers here but things to spent a nice afternoon with the family. I am looking at my vault of pictures and finding gems, this is an older shot of the Grande Arche and instead of a new post, just will add on this one. On left in front the statue La Défense de Paris, bronze, 1983.
The thing that will bring you here is the Grande Arche de la Défense , sort of like a modern Arc de Triomphe. It is in line with it along ave de la Grande Armée and the Arc de Triomphe is very easily visible. A must to go to the top of the Grande Arche de la Défense, the views are wonderful over Paris. Visitors can now enjoy now the largest terrace in Paris on the rooftop of the Grande Arche. The Grande Arche has a 100-meter long footbridge stretching across it that provides beautiful views of all the major historical monuments of Paris, from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. The Grande Arche also provides an excellent view over France’s largest open-air museum in the parvis of La Défense below it.
The official Grande Arche de la Défense in English here: Official Grande Arche de la Défense
You can enjoy great movies in the Dome cinema Ciné Cité UGC , with very modern facilities and a favorite of my kids as it is easy reachable from where we used to live. It is right in the Westfield Quatre-Temps shopping center Here in French how to get to the cinema ,prices schedules etc. : UGC cinemas Dome La Défense
if you like big shopping center/malls then you will love the Quatre Temps shopping center here, its one of the best in the area, and it keeps growing! You have 223 stores, 51 restaurants More on how to get there here in English: Westfield Les 4 Temps shopping center
And over to the CNIT building, across the parvis, where the convention and congress place with the Centre des Nouvelles Industries et Technologies or CNIT (center of new industries and technologies). And more stores and restaurants on ground floor More here in French: Paris La Defense on the CNIT
There are so many towers here from all sort of businesses some with restos on ground floor that is too long lol! Suffice to say I have been to several. You can see them here in English: Paris La Défense on the towers or tours
There is many artworks here too, inside the towers and outside the parvis/esplanade , one more reason to admire walking around and so many, they are listed here in English: Paris La Defense on the artworks all over
And several green spaces with benches for a relax time, long to write but you can see them here in English: Paris La Defense on the green spaces
And well I am into numbers but rather let you read as I am in telework lol! These are the numbers of La Défense in English: Paris La Defense on the detail numbers of it
And even the Paris tourist office has info on La Défense even if it is not in Paris but in Hauts de Seine dept 92 another province/state/dept but Paris likes to take it all lol: Tourist office of Paris on La Défense
And of course, not to be left out, the Hauts de Seine dept 92 tourist office on La Défense in French: Tourist office of dept 92 Hauts de Seine on La Défense
And last but not least, how to get here? From Paris or surroundings is easy! I have even gone there by car and parking underground is great too. However for the visitor inclined here are choices. You can take the Transilien train line L or U (Versailles Chantiers) from many stops begins at Gare St Lazare, until the Gare de la Défense Grande Arche. Also, the RER A until the gare La Défense Grande Arche from Châtelet-Les Halles this is about 20 minutes! And of course, metro line 1 or tramway line 2 take you to the La Défense Grande Arche as well and takes you up to the parvis esplanade! You can stop with metro line 1 at the stop Esplanade de La Défense as well. My recommendation is to take metro line 1. There is a great map from RATP ,you can print here even in English: RATP map of transports at La Défense
And there you go ,all set go; step out from Paris, the region of Ïle de France not the least the dept 92 Hauts de Seine has beauties beyond comprehension and this one is nice easy ride out and something trés français! Hope you enjoy La Défense.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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