Stories
La Défense
For something completely opposite from what is perceived as typically Parisian, take the metro just outside the city to the La Défense. This ultra-modern industrial park looks as if the architects and artists of the Pompidou museum were given free reign to decorate an entire neighborhood at their whimsy. The main attractions of the area is the Grande Arche de la Défense, which echoes its older and smaller sister, the Arc de Triomphe, which also sits in front of it along the voie royale, and can be seen far off from La Défense. The newer arch boasts an unrivaled size, however, as Notre Dame cathedral could fit under its arch. Get off the metro at Esplanade de la Défense and walk along the esplanade to get to the arch, so you have the opportunity to look at all of the quirky modern sculptures along the way, from colorful fountains, to mirrored-balls, to colorful sculptures nestled between (and the same size as) skyscrapers.
Metro: La Défense or Esplanade de la Défense
By Hannah L McDonald-Moniz
