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, it is not in Paris, this is La Défense. I did my business meetings here for a while coming into the tour Carpe Diem ,and glad to find me some more pictures in my cd rom vault to write this post for you and me, Therefore, here is my take on curiosities of La Défense !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
It’s been a while not telling you on La Défense, in the Hauts-de-Seine dept 92 in the Île de France region of my belle France. It is a laberinth of roads but have come here by car, and metro as well, I took the avenue Saint Cloud continue into Ave des Etats Unis or D185,then same road D182 ,and by the Haras de Jardy take the A86 into the tunnel on the A14 continue same road D914 by Bd Patrick Devedjian and carpark, Another way taken for my memories was to get on the D185 then D985 into A13 by exit 4 go into dir pont Saint Cloud passed by it into the D7 along the Seine river, into Bd de Neuilly into Bd Patrick Devedjian and carpark, Metro line 1 took from the Porte Maillot HQ to the tour Carpe Diem but needs walking over 10 minutes,
Standing way past the Grande Arche ,behind it you see a wonderful view of outer Paris or the Hauts de Seine dept 92 with the Jardin de la Grande Arche ,cementery of Neuilly, and the Paris La Défense Arena, After all the best are the views and a break with good company, Thanks for the memories of always.
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, some more or less, Info on the La Défense towers/tours: https://www.parisladefense.com/fr/territoire/tours-batiments
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 in La Défense art works: https://www.parisladefense.com/fr/territoire/oeuvres-art
Several green spaces with benches for a relax time, long to write but you can see them here La Défense green spaces: https://www.parisladefense.com/fr/territoire/espaces-verts
I am into numbers, but rather let you read ! These are the numbers of La Défense on the detail numbers of it : https://www.parisladefense.com/fr/territoire/quartier-historique
La Défense takes its name from a statue, La Défense de Paris, a work created to commemorate the victims of the Siege of Paris. In 1870, Prussia was on the verge of invading the city when Napoleon III was deposed following the capitulation at Sedan. To protect Paris, a Government of National Defense was established. Cannons were installed, and the fortifications around the city were repaired. Despite a harsh winter, the Parisians held out until the ceasefire in January 1871, which ended a six-month siege. Paris, which remained free, lost 24,000 soldiers during the siege. It is in honor of these victims that La Défense de Paris was built. A call for proposals was launched in 1879 for this sculpture. Louis-Ernest Barrias won the competition, beating out around a hundred other artists, including Gustave Doré, Auguste Rodin, and Auguste Bartholdi. The sculpture was inaugurated in 1883, accompanied by a military parade. It was originally located at the carrefour de Courbevoie or crossroads, the current rond-point de La Défense or roundabout. Today, it can be seen on the esplanade, halfway between the Grande Arche and the Seine river.
You can get here on public transports did on metro line 1 however, mostly by car on the Patrick Devdjian boulevard leading to the business district from the A14 urban autoroute, the N13 national road or the various departmental roads that surround the district. Once there, There are over 23,000 parking spaces available under the flagstone, either in the Westfield Les 4 Temps car park or in one of the many other car parks in Paris La Défense. Popularly call Paris but actually is it not but in Hauts de Seine dept 92 and encompass several town limits such as Puteaux, Courbevoie,and Nanterre, I was just 18 km (about 11 mi) from Versailles home along the Rue du Maréchal Foch, right on Bd de la Reine, left on Avenue des Etats Unis, bearing left on Avenue du Général Pershing or D182 road continue on Bd de Jardy bearing left on a big roundabout to get on the tunnel duplex A86 echangeur Vaucresson continue under tunnel to connect with the A14 highway always dir La Défense then bear right onto the D914 road onto Bd Patrick Devdjian continue all around by passing the A14 highway continue to Parking Q-Park La Défense – Corolles and the Carpe Diem tower building,
The official Paris La Défense on the Carpe Diem building (for ref my office bldg) : https://www.parisladefense.com/en/district/towers-buildings/carpe-diem
The Hauts de Seine dept 92 tourist office on La Défense : https://destination.hauts-de-seine.fr/decouvrir-le-quartier-de-paris-la-defense.html
The official Paris La Défense on the historic district: https://www.parisladefense.com/en/district/historic-district
There you go ,all set go; step out from Paris, and see more beauties beyond comprehension and this one is nice easy ride out and something trés français! Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of La Défense !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 