Great Place to Visit: La Défence, Paris, France

La Défense is a suburb of Paris, France. Located roughly 2 kilometres from Paris's western border, it serves as the main business district of Paris. While it may not be the main attraction for tourists looking for typical Parisian sights, its architecture of skyscrapers is completely different from Paris itself and offers a change for the curious traveller.

Featuring a layout of gigantic business blocks around large open courtyards, with many cute walkways and passage ways connecting the buildings, La Défense is a great place to visit for those who like a long walk.

The main feature of La Défense, naturally situated at its centre is the incredible "Grande Arche". This office building, completed in 1989 is designed as a giant archway, to mirror the Arc de Triomphe which can be seen on the horizon. Views from the top of the Grande Arche can be had for those who enjoy heights. Underneath this giant archway is a popular area for people to sit and admire the view over Paris. Just in front is a large public area, known as "Le Parvis", that features live shows and entertainment all year round.

For the lovers of shopping, there are two main shopping areas in La Défense, both with their main entrances off Le Parvis: CNIT, which features up-market shopping, dining and the technology store FNAC and Le Quatre Temps, which is a large multi level shopping centre with fast food restaurants, supermarkets and department stores.

The atmosphere of La Défense is quite different to the loud hustle and bustle of Paris itself. While there are always lots of people moving about, the acoustics of the layout and the business nature of the talk lends a certain whisper to the ambient noise. The entire area feels like a mountain of concrete and steel and offers a futuristic change to the historic Paris.

La Défense is surrounded, however, by traditional Parisien suburbs. To the East, on the way back into Paris, is Neuilly-sur-seine, an up-market residential area. If you head that way, be sure to stop off at the picturesque island on the Seine, underneath the Pont de Neuilly. To the north and south are the suburbs of Corbevoie and Puteux and both feature typical Parisian restaurants and sights. To the west is Nanterre, primarily a university district.

Getting to La Défense couldn't be simpler, as it is the last stop on the busiest Metro line, the number 1, although at the morning and evening rush hours, it will be jam packed. Alternatively, it's a 30 minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe in a straight line. Just head straight towards the Grande Arche, ever present on the horizon.