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Monuments
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ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Monument built in honour of the French Army and inaugurated... |
CONCIERGERIE
This important vestige of the Capetian Palace is a... |
HOTEL DE VILLE
Seat of the Paris City Council. The first municipality was... |
MUSEE DU LOUVRE
The Louvre Museum presents collections of western art from... |
PANTHEON
Masterpiece by Soufflot (1713-1780) and former church, the... |
SAINTE CHAPELLE
Jewel of gothic architecture, the Sainte Chapelle was built... |
TOUR EIFFEL
The most famous monument in the world (324 metres, 10 100... |
PONT NEUF
The Pont-Neuf is the oldest of Paris bridges and the first... |
MUSEE D'ORSAY
The Orsay Railway Station, built by architect Victor Laloux,... |
Champs-Élysées
The glamour of the Champs-Élysées, particularly its upper... |
La Defense
"La Defense", whose lines can be followed to the Arc de... |
Notre-Dame
The cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art, has witnessed... |
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La Defense
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Description
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"La Defense", whose lines can be followed to the Arc de Triomphe, along the Champs-Élysées to the obelisk on Place de la Concorde, over the Tuileries gardens to the Louvre's Cour Carrée, assuming that the weather is clear and the air free of polluting tumes.
This new business district is in the form of a group of towers more than 30 storeys high, which can be seen for several miles. A kiosk on the ground floor provides information on each of these Defense's ultra-modern architectural gems. From every last minute detail, the designers have paid attention to the surtace decoration, and have not ignored modern artists either. Sculptures, mosaics and fountains keep the eyes busy and break up the monotony.
"Financial District"
This business district is like a futuristic universe where form and content meet in beauty : Active and lively during the day, deathly silent at night. Not just office buildings, but a variety of things to see. Besides the different international trade fairs, exhibitions, concerts or theatrical performances that take place in the CNIT or on the roof of the Arche, you can find a wide variety of restaurants, stores, and outdoor shows. And, for several years, on June 21st, the official Holiday of Music "Fête de la Musique", La Défense hosts a great music festival that includes all sorts of side shows using light and water.
"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. On the esplanade are works by Takis, fountains, luminous signals and statues by Mirò. Various ministries have their offices in the massive supporting pillars, the human rights commission (Fondation des Droits de l'Homme) and major corporations have their office there. The Arche also includes a large exhibition hall.
Seated up above on the terrace one can admire the impeccable success of its perspective, whose lines can be followed to the Arc de Triomphe, along the Champs-Élysées to the obelisk on Place de la Concorde, over the Tuileries gardens to the Louvre's Cour Carrée, assuming that the weather is clear and the air free of polluting fumes.
Website:
parvis de la Défense
(Metro: Grande Arche de la Défense) |
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