The Grand Axis of Paris began in the Tuileries Gardens in the XVIIth century and was projected beyond the River Seine in the twentieth century, becoming the pedestrian core of a major business district. It runs through the Arc de Triomphe and culminates in the "Grande Arche", a hollow office building topped with an art gallery and viewing platform.
La Défense is also a very popular venue for Parisians who come to shop in its huge shopping mall, one of the biggest in Europe : « Les 4 Temps » hosts more than 200 shops and 30 restaurants. Terraced gardens and about 60 works of art make this district a real open-air museum. The 300.000 people working there appreciate going for a walk.
Nevertheless, the « Esplanade de La Défense » is also an open-air museum where modern artists expressed themselves as much as they liked. For example, you can see the « Quatre Têtes » by Emily Young, the « Arbres lumineux » by Takis, artistic creations by Calder, the « Fontaine Agam », the « Statue de La Défense » by Barrias, the colorful characters of Miro, the « Icare » by césar and the Church of Notre-Dame de Pentecôte by Franck Hammoutène.

"La Grande Arche"
Six kilometres out from the Arc de Triomphe at the far end of the Voie Triomphale, has put La Défense high on the list of places to which Paris visitors must pay homage. Created by a Danish architect, Johan-Otto von Spreckelson who won a competition called by the President Mitterrand, this hollowed-out cube, weighing 300,000 tons, 110m (352 ft) high and 70 meters (225 ft) wide (The whole of Notre-Dame cathedral would fit in its frame), was entitled "La Grande Arche". This monument, dedicated to Fraternity, is built of concrete with a facing of Carrara marble and grey granite.


Address
La Grande Arche - 1 parvis de la Défense

How to get there
Metro line 1 : La Défense
RER A : La Défense

Informations, hours, entrance fees & acces map.
http://www.grandearche.com/

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