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La Defense Review
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La Défense
- Address: Parvis de La Defense, La Defense, Paris | Map It
- Phone: 01-49-07-27-57
- www.grandearche.com
- Category: Houses/Mansions
- Location: Western Paris
Fodor's Review:
First conceived in 1958, this modernist suburb just west of Paris was inspired by Le Corbusier's dream of high-rise buildings, pedestrian walkways, and sunken vehicle circulation. Built as an experiment to keep high-rises out of the historic downtown, this Parisian business hub has survived economic uncertainty to become a surprising success. Visiting La Défense gives you a crash course in contemporary skyscraper evolution, from solid blocks of the 1960s and '70s to the curvy fins of the '90s and beyond. Today 20,000 people live in this suburb, but 150,000 people work here. While riding the métro line 1 here, you'll get a view of the Seine, then emerge at a pedestrian plaza studded with some great public art, including César's giant thumb and one of Calder's great red "stabiles." The Grande Arche de La Défense dominates the area; it was designed as a controversial closure to the historic axis of Paris (an imaginary line that runs through the Arc de Triomphe, the Arc du Carrousel, and the Louvre glass pyramid). Glass bubble elevators whisk you 360 feet to the viewing platform; if you prefer to stay on the ground, you can catch a half-hour (EUR 5.50) minitrain tour of La Défense (March-November, daily 11-5, departure in front of the Arche).
- Cost: Grande Arche: EUR 7.50
- Open: Daily 10-7
- Metro: Metro or RER: Grande Arche de La Defense
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