It is a gathering place for thousands of people who go to work in one of the numerous towers or the Arche de La Defense every day; stroll along the esplanade to discover the artworks that line it; or go shopping in one of the two emblematic business districts, CNIT and Westfield Les 4 Temps, which welcome...
The site is also important because it was here that the first traffic lights were used in France. They were installed at no charge by General De Langle during World War I as a precaution against car accidents before the arrival of the French police force.
Today, more than a million people visit the Grande Arche de La Defense each year. This makes it the most visited monument in Paris. It's easy to see why: like a giant maze, you can walk through its rooms and corridors for hours without finding an exit. There are also special exhibits throughout the year with topics such as space travel, history, and science.
You can reach the site via RER B from downtown Paris, which takes about 40 minutes. The best time to go is between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., when there are less crowds.
Admission is free but donations are welcome. There are information points where you can get more details about how to proceed with a purchase if you'd like to support the cause.
It was originally known as "La Grande Arche de la Fraternite" (The Great Arch of Fraternity). It was characterized by its inventor as a "window onto the world." It is meant to serve as a meeting and communication space for people from all origins and cultures.
The arch was constructed between 1972 and 1978 under the direction of architect Jean Nouvel. It stands in front of the La Défense business district in Paris, France. The site is surrounded by railroads, office buildings, and shops.
In addition to being an architectural wonder, the arch is also considered to be an important element in the defense of Paris against nuclear attack. It was designed to withstand blast waves from nuclear explosions and was initially called the "Arche de l'Armement" (Arms Depot).
You can visit the arch daily at 9:30 AM and 5 PM. It is closed on French public holidays.
There are information boards in various languages that explain the history of the arch. A small museum with exhibits on global culture is located inside the arch itself.
Getting here: You can get to the arch by taking line 1 to Rambuteau or line 6 to Chemin Vert and getting off at Porte des Lui.
Thank you for stopping by! The enormous Grande Arche, located in La Defense's CBD, is a 20th-century counterpart of the Arc de Triomphe. The monument is dedicated to humanity and humanitarian values rather than military accomplishments. It is undoubtedly Paris' most imposing structure, beside the Eiffel Tower.
You can reach the site via RER B from downtown Paris; it's about a 15-minute ride. The station is called "La Defense". Or take the Metro line 5 to "Tour Montparnasse".
The entrance to the site is free but donations are welcome. There is an information center on site with a small museum that offers an overview of World War II as well as a glimpse into modern life in France.
See what others say about La Defense:
"Lovely park with great views of the city!" - Amazon reviewer.
"Great place to walk around and take in the view" - TripAdvisor reviewer.
"Perfect spot for people watching in the heart of Paris!" - Yelp reviewer.
The Grande Arche de la Fraternite (French: [fRateRnite]; "Fraternity"), originally known as La Grande Arche de la Defense (French: [la gRad aRS d@ la defas]; "The Great Arch of the Defense"), is a monument and building in the business district of La Defense and in the commune of Puteaux, to the west of Paris, France. The arch was built between 1975 and 1980 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution.
It stands at the western end of Avenue de la République, which runs from the Arc de Triomphe to the Bois de Boulogne. The arch is made up of two large faces, each about 30 metres high and 70 metres wide, set back-to-back with their outer walls some distance apart. Between them is a smaller face, also with its own outer wall, forming an entrance passage for visitors. The four faces are connected by eight narrow corridors, one within each side face, which provide access to the exhibition halls inside the arch. A ninth corridor leads to an observatory on the roof of the main face.
The arch was designed by Richard Rogers and is mainly constructed from reinforced concrete with granite and marble used for decoration. It cost $78 million at the time it was built. The arch has been described as a "giant's doorway to paradise" due to its bright colors and light-filled interior. It was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe but larger in scale.
Travel across the city in elegance while learning more about all of the historical structures and sites. The Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, located atop Montmarte, the highest point in Paris, is a well-known sight on the city's skyline. Its beautiful white exterior and domes may be seen from many locations across Paris. Open daily, it is a popular place for people to take photos.
The Eiffel Tower is the best known structure in Paris by far and has become one of the most recognizable icons in the world. It was created as a tribute to the French engineer Gustave Eiffel and is located at the Champ de Mars near Les États-Unis Park. Opened in 1889, the tower is one of the main attractions for visitors to Paris. In addition, there are several other museums, such as the Picasso Museum, that feature famous paintings by this influential artist.
If you want to learn more about French history, go to the Louvre Museum. Located on the banks of the Seine River, this enormous museum contains over 30,000 pieces of art and is one of the largest in the world. Some of the most famous works of art include Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", Michelangelo's "David", and Caravaggio's "Crucifixion".
For an educational experience you won't find anywhere else, visit the Musée d'Orsay.
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