For something a bit different, a friend took me out to photograph the business district at La Défense. It’s not a destination I would know of to visit, so I was surprised to discover that 8 million tourists visit this district each year. But for those interested in architecture, or simply is you’d like a contrast to the historic buildings and monuments, it it worth a trip.
Easily accessible at the end of line 1 metro (stop: La Défense), it’s quite easy to spend an hour or two wandering around the general vicinity, taking in the varied and interesting architecture and views.
72 skyscrapers made of glass and steel are dispersed over the 560 hectare area, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe. It is the location of around 1,500 corporate head offices, including 15 of the top 50 companies in the world.
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The district is concentrated around an expansive central courtyard, with the Grande Arche de la Défense as the centrepiece. The Arch resulted from an initiative by President François Mitterrand in the 1980’s to create a 20th century version of the Arc de Triomphe. However, this monument was to be dedicated to humanitarian ideals, rather than military victories. A Danish architect and engineer submitted the winning design, it was commenced in 1985 and completed in 1989.
The Arch marks the end of the Historical Axis (Axe historique) running through Paris from the Louvre; along the Champs-Élysées; through the Arc de Triomphe; and out to La Défense. The Arc de Triomphe is visible from the Arch, and vice versa.
The placement of the Arch is also in an alignment to form a secondary axis with the two highest buildings in Paris: the Eiffel Tower, and the Montparnasse Tower.
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There are plenty of interesting buildings and architecture to check out, every building is quite different and unique in its design. For a “human” element, there were even groups of men playing pétanque in one of the squares!
And when you’ve had enough modern architecture to satisfy, there are shops, eateries, and a cinema in the malls nearby to entertain.
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It’s certainly a different take on the classic Paris we are all familiar with, and I found it to be a worthwhile and enjoyable destination to discover.
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