La Défense facts for kids
La Défense is a super modern area just west of Paris, France. It's like a city within a city, filled with tall, shiny buildings made of glass and steel. This area is the biggest business district in all of Europe. A "business district" is a special part of a city where many companies have their offices.
La Défense has 19 huge skyscrapers and over 50 other large buildings. The whole area is about 1.6 square kilometers (560 hectares) big. Around 25,000 people live here, and about 180,000 people work in its many offices. More than 8 million tourists visit La Défense every year to see its unique architecture and art.
You can easily get to La Défense from central Paris. Imagine a straight line, called the Axe historique (Historical Axis), that starts at the famous Louvre Museum. This line goes through the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. La Défense is at the very end of this line. Here, you'll find a giant arch-shaped building called the Grande Arche.
You can reach La Défense using different types of public transport. The Paris Métro Line 1, RER Line A, and tram T2 all stop at an underground railway station called Gare de La Défense. SNCF trains also go there.
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What is La Défense?
La Défense is a very important part of the Paris Metropolitan Area. It is located in the Hauts-de-Seine department, which is a region near Paris. It's known for its modern look, which is very different from the older, historic parts of Paris.
A Modern Business Hub
This area is a major center for businesses and finance. Many large French and international companies have their main offices here. It's a place where a lot of important work gets done every day. The tall buildings create a unique skyline that stands out.
The Name's Origin
The name "La Défense" means "The Defense." It comes from a special statue in the area. This statue is called La Défense de Paris. It was made by an artist named Louis-Ernest Barrias. The statue remembers the brave people of Paris who defended their city during the Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War.
Famous Buildings and Art
La Défense is not just about offices. It's also home to many interesting buildings and works of art. These make the area a popular spot for visitors.
The Grande Arche
The Grande Arche is one of the most famous buildings in La Défense. It's a huge, cube-shaped arch that looks like a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe. You can even go up to the top of the Grande Arche for amazing views of Paris. It's part of the "Historical Axis" that connects it to the Louvre.
Art in the Open Air
Around the buildings, you'll find many sculptures and fountains. These artworks are placed outdoors, making the whole area feel like a giant open-air museum. For example, there's the Bright Trees by Takis and a colorful Fountain by Yaacov Agam. There are also works by Guillaume Bottazzi.
Shopping and Entertainment
La Défense also has a large shopping mall called "Les Quatre Temps". It's one of the biggest malls in Europe. Here, you can find many shops, restaurants, and a cinema. It's a great place for people who work or live in the area to relax and have fun.
Images for kids
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La Grande Arche de la Défense and the Yaacov Agam Fountain (1977). The bronze sculpture on the left, seen from the rear, is La Défense de Paris by Louis-Ernest Barrias, after which La Défense is named.
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Paris, with the skyscrapers of La Défense in the background and the Eiffel Tower in the foreground taken in 2014
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The Grande Arche is the central and defining building of La Défense. It is, with the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the third arch on the Historical Axis of Paris.
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The district at night -
The name of the district comes from the statue of La Défense de Paris by Louis-Ernest Barrias which commemorates the Parisian resistance during the Franco-Prussian War.
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View from Arc de Triomphe at night.
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View from Eiffel Tower.
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The Mall "Les Quatre Temps"
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Skylight tower.
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Western part of La Défense as seen from the Grande Arche.
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Takis, Bright Trees, c. 1990
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Yaacov Agam, Fountain, c. 1977
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Guillaume Bottazzi, Untitled, c. 2014
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Tour First
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Tour Total
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Tour Areva
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See also
In Spanish: La Défense para niños
