The Imax dome and all of the rest of that building have become the UGC Ciné Cité La Défense multiplex.

Q - Why is it called La Defense

Was Defense Ministry here at some time or now?

It is called "La Defense" because it is where the defense of Paris was set in 1870 during the war against Prussia. Before the 1950s and the beginning of the construction, there was a simple crossroad here (East to Paris and 2 other roads NW & SW to the suburban areas). A statue of the "National Defense" was erected there. You can still see it close to the fountain and the Calder and Miro sculptures.

But kerouac, was the automobile museum in that same building or another one -- I really don't remember? Are you then saying the automobile museum is definitely gone?

No more automobile museum at La Défense.

While the Imax dome and the auto building were not officially connected, UGC connected everything into an 16 screen megaplex. The Imax function was not even retained and the inside of the dome is just part of the grandiose entrance hall.

Thanks for that update. I hadn't thought about it again until NeoP's post.

Hmmmm...I'm a regular visitor to Paris, and I've never been to La Défense. I'll be in Paris the day after tomorrow....maybe I should give it a try!

Everybody should! It's only 10 minutes from Châtelet-les Halles on RER A.

BTW - budget travelers should consider staying at La Défense, because lodging values* are much better there. Since you're probably going to ride to most of the things you go to Paris to see, 10 minutes more in a train isn't that much in the grand scheme of things - and Montmartre and the Arc/Champs are even closer than many neighborhoods.

You can even go back to the hotel for a siesta without losing much time.

* Value = more room than in the city center for the same money, or the same room for less money.

http://www.parisladefense.com/parisladefense/plan.htm

You'll be able to find a map and list of the artistic works on the esplanade...

If you take the RER to La Défense, it costs more. If you take the metro, it just the usual ticket.

If you happen to be around Saint Lazare, you can also take a commuter train there.

Or you can take the Tram that begins not far downstream from the Eiffel Tower and take a somewehat scenic route along the Seine to La Defense. Just one metro ticket i think

I lived in Paris and never went to La Defense. A friend of mine in London took me to Canary Wharf for the express purpose of showing me how awful it is -- and I concurred.

What difference does it make if you go to Paris a lot and don't go to La Defense? I mean, I wouldn't avoid it, but why go? Until the WTC was incinerated, most tourists never went to the Financial District of NY, except a few to gawk at Wall Street. And why should they have done?

What surprises me is how many visitors to Paris who go with a checklist of art museums and churches and historical sites never go to St Denis.

Actually, there was more of a case for tourists going to the tip of Manhattan for history, but even so, it's not the reason most tourists save up their money to visit the island.

Who said anything about "saving up their money to visit"?

zeppole, I'm a little confused by your post and that very odd choice of comparison. Before 9/11 TONS of tourists went to that area -- particularly to go to the top of the World Trade Center which was one of the busiest tourist attractions in the city. Tourists stood in line to do it day and night -- and the restaurant at the top was once the "busiest restaurant" in the entire US -- primarily with tourists. There also was a TKTS booth in the WTC -- very busy with tourists. Why did they go? Because it was an architectural wonder and offered an amazing view. While La Defense may be a little further removed from the center of Paris, that arch too is an architectural wonder and offers amazing views of Paris.

I'm still not saying the La Defense is the "be all" of Paris, but I think for those exploring all parts of Paris it is certainly worth a look, if for no other reason than to visit that arch and see the view. But I too would add St. Denis to that "why don't regular tourists visit. . ." list.

Ah well. The things you miss living in NYC!

Or Paris!