Paris/La Défense

La Défense is a collection of modern high-rise office and residential buildings built according to an evolving central plan on the western outskirts of Paris, beyond the last Parisian loop of the river Seine. La Défense is the site of the Grande Arche, one of Paris' most modern and imposing landmarks, situated at the western end of the grand axis formed by the Champs-Elysées, the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.

La Défense makes up the western end of the Axe historique, a route of monumental buildings extending to the Louvre and the Bastille.

Understand
La Défense is a purpose-built business district; in the 1960s, Charles de Gaulle led an effort to level the area and concentrate skyscrapers in a single business district, rather than altering the character of Paris with large commercial buildings. Despite being officially and popularly recognised, and invariably associated with Paris, La Défense is neither an official administrative unit nor is it within Paris' city limits. The area of La Défense is actually on the borders of three communes of the Hauts-de-Seine department beyond the borders of Paris proper - Nanterre, Courbevoie and Puteaux.

By métro
Note: Both stations are in zone 3, but the line 1 stations can also be accessed using a T+ ticket or a zone 1-2 only pass.
 * La Défense (ligne 1, and RER line A)
 * Esplanade de la Défense (ligne 1)

By train and tram
La Défense can be reached on RER A, Transilien L, Transilien U, Tramway T2, which all stop at the eponymous La Défense station. The RER A and Transilien stations are in zone 3 and therefore cannot be accessed with a T+ ticket.

The station layout can be very confusing but Les Quatres Temps shopping centre is colour-coded.

Architecture
Each of the buildings of La Défense tells a story of architectural trends that were en vogue at the times of its construction and design. A tour of La Défense can be a quick overview through the most recent period in the history of architecture

Art
There are over 60 works of art displayed in the open air throughout La Défense, interspersed within public spaces and freely accessible, and authored by some of the biggest names in modern art.
 * Le pouce, a giant statue of a thumb by César Baldaccini, stands between the CNIT and the Grande Arche
 * The abstract Spider by Alexander Calder simply cannot be missed on the Esplanade
 * The Bright Trees by Vassilakis Takis visually enclose the Esplanade

Eat
Besides the more than 40 food and snack places at the 4 Temps, rue de Bezons has a few budget eateries, including a good bakery, a couple of Turkish joints and a McDonald's that normally stays open until midnight.

The La Coupole underground gallery, accessible through exit G of the metro station, is somewhat depressing but convenient for its restaurants and express cafés.

More fancy (and expensive) restaurants are located inside the hotels of La Défense:

Sleep
Staying in the La Défense area may be a good option for exploring Paris - the Line 1 of the Metro gives you a direct connection from Grande Arche to central Paris in 15 minutes. La Défense is also located favorably for visiting Versailles. As an added benefit, you will get the unique sights from Esplanade de la Défense towards Paris when entering and disembarking the metro, but on balance you will be staying in a jungle of steel and concrete with next to no nightlife.

As this is a business district, most hotels are business-oriented, so do not expect any kind of Parisian flair, but perhaps a swifter service - and larger hotel rooms - than in central Paris. Unless you choose to locate yourself farther from La Défense proper, do not expect bargains, but you will probably get a higher standard for the same price as a much smaller and less comfortable hotel in downtown Paris.

You can also choose to stay farther from La Défense proper, within one of the three municipalities which share the La Défense area. This may significantly add to your transit times and complicate your transit, but then you may get really good rates there.

Unexpectedly for a business district, La Défense is neither close nor well connected to either of the airports serving Paris. Bear this in mind planning your travel.

Central La Défense
Unless you are very familiar with La Défense's system of underground motorways and parkings, driving to hotels there is not recommended. Take the metro, RER or tram and walk the distance over the Esplanade enjoying the unique retrofuturistic atmosphere.

Distances between your hotel and the entrance to the metro station can be significant, even when you are staying in a very central location, and the only way for you to get to the hotel is to walk through the uncovered Esplanade and walkways.

Courbevoie
The area around Place Charras, in Courbevoie is a short bus ride or a 15-minute walk away from the metro.

Go next

 * Versailles can be conveniently reached by a Transilien line L from the La Défense station, the ride to Versailles - Rive Droite takes about 25 minutes. Line U also goes straight from La Défense to Versailles - Chantiers station
 * The easiest route to the Château de Malmaison at Rueil-Malmaison from central Paris is to take bus 258 from La Défense.
 * Saint-Cloud
 * Maisons-Laffitte
 * Saint-Germain-en-Laye