Does anyone know if the arch in La Defense is open to go to the top on a Sunday?

Yes it is.

http://www.grandearche.com/international/english.html

Thanks for the website...I hadn't seen that one. Leaving today--can't wait to get there.

no offense, but I thought La Defense was a very skippable destination.

A little bit of expectation management; although La Defense is fun to visit, the view from the grande arche isn't spectacular IMHO. A lot of the view is blocked by the high buildings. Almost the same view can be seen from the steps below the grande arche.

The view from the Arc de Triomphe beats the grande arche IMHO.

Some people enjoy seeing modern things, too. Thank god not everybody rushes to exactly the same place.

And for another great view, go to the top of Tour Montparnasse, an ugly black skyscraper in the Montparnasse district. Cost €10.50, no lines and a great view.

Already have been to the Eiffel and Tour Montparnasse. Just looking for another perspective.

La grande arche does give another perspective. And if you have never visited, no reason why no to do it this time.
I like the modernity of La Defense. Plus it has a pretty big mall with a large hypermarche and a cineplex.

I just wanted to say; for me it is not the greatest view in/of Paris. But fun tot nontheless. At the top floor is also a fun art-exhibition.

Have fun at your trip!

"Thank god not everybody rushes to exactly the same place."

Bingo! Although I've never been to La Defense in all my many trips to Paris, I'd still like to get there someday. Having said that, my favorite view of Paris so far is from the top of Sacre Coeur.

Sorry didn't mean to start a major controversy.
If it was your first time there, I wouldn't recommend going.
Its a somewhat long trip out for not much payoff.

We went on our first trip to Paris and we considered it quite lame. We actually still make jokes about it when we are somewhere that we are bored like "at least its not La Defense".

Just my opinion though!

La Defense is a more interesting visit if you go to the website I provided above, and print out the maps that lay out where all the outdoor sculptures are, then walk from one end of the promenade to the other.. We've tried this twice, only to be rained out both times!

This fall, I plan to walk in the Bercy/Bibliotheque area, see what's new around there. Lots of new construction going on around Bibliotheque, haven't seen the Passerelle S.Beauvoir, etc.

Oddly, though, I don't seem to have any interest in the Villette area, still haven't been out there.

Travelnut, this photo essay of mine shows some of the Bibliothèque area: http://tinyurl.com/d5sjfj

I go to the national library everytime I'm in Paris, I love that place.

I like La Defense, and it doesn't take long to get there, anyway. The metro/RER connections are a little confusing, though. I got stuck there once without the right ticket, I can't remember why. they have a good shopping mall, I think, if you have time to spare. I went to La Defense as part of a trip to Malmaison, which I really liked a lot. You kind of have to go through La Defense to do that by public transportation (RER or bus). So you could combine it with that visit, that's what I did.

La Defense is a god awful sterile place; but then I had to work there. You could be in NYC or LA, but the restaurants are far worse at La Defense. Skip it.