Yes, some people will always reject the modern world, Ack. The world will move on even if you don't.

I like the architecture of Defense, everything can't be stuck in the 18th century, after all. People were doing the same thing during Art Nouveau (using the same style form in various cities for everything). I like Art Nouveau, but after a while, all the furniture and homes and decor all having curling leaves, etc. all looks the same and gets a bit boring, also.

'it was a project by De Gaulle, not Mitterrand!'

Planning started in 1956 - before EPAD and before De Gaulle - who inaugurated the first building (CNIT) in 1958.

Just looked at your pics Kerouac

Loved the essay, and pics.

I loved the beauty and contradiction

Thanks. I think it is a fascinating area although I wouldn't want to live there. I would not at all mind staying at a hotel there.

I like the architecture of Defense, everything can't be stuck in the 18th century, after all. People were doing the same thing during Art Nouveau (using the same style form in various cities for everything). I like Art Nouveau, but after a while, all the furniture and homes and decor all having curling leaves, etc. all looks the same and gets a bit boring, also.

Okay, okay! No more criticism of La Defense! Go for it!

But someday look at a book like Christopher Alexander's "A Pattern Language". Then you will understand why I like winding lanes, irregular buildings that have been added to over the years, all the streets full of funny little ateliers and odd shops between the Hausmann Boulevards, the height restrictions in Washington DC and Paris, the warren of streets from Campo di Fiori to the Pantheon and beyond and along the Tiber with upholsterers and ebenistes working behind half-open doors, Chinatowns everywhere, and everything in Venice.

Nobody will find fault with you on that, Ack. But you seem to have missed the point that the whole reason that La Défense was created was to avoid disfiguring Paris. When you see the disastrous mistake that Pompidou allowed in Montparnasse, or all of the high rise apartments built under Giscard in the 13th and 15th (but luckily on the edge of the city) just imagine if all of Paris were sprinkled with the office buildings of La Défense.

I know, Kerouac. They are to Paris what Crystal City and Pentagon City are to Washington. I have stayed in these places, too. Good hotel prices, easy transportation to the center of the city. But not places to be celebrated in my mind.

They are, however, an interesting place for tourist who want to go somewhere " off the beaten path" in Paris -- easy to get to, great views back to the city (not so great in the other direction), and proof positive that all Paris is not quaint! And, of course, no more Tours Montparnasse!

A late night stroll down a Paris street after dinner is always a pleasure. A late night stroll around near-empty La Défense was a watch-your-back hustle for us. The very smelly elevator up from the subway or the dark walk up to street level really added nicely to the experience. Just sayin' . . .

Ian

Well, at least it's a place where you can be sure that 10 video surveillance cameras are watching you at all times. ;-)