Paris | The Colours of La Defense

The Colourful Le Moretti

La Defense in Paris is a major business district. I would liken it to London's Canary Wharf and because it's there are mainly offices there, tourists tend to not go there so much. Unless you are into architecture photography that is. Don't cross it off because you assumed there is nothing to see there. It offers great views into Paris. You can see the Eiffel tower from La Defense. You can also see right through Arc de Triomphe from La Defense. The architecture is beautiful here, not to mention that because it's a business hub, there are many places to eat and shop to cater to those working and spending a majority of their time in this location.

La Defense is also the site of the Grande Arche, one of Paris' modern and imposing landmarks. This was the place the Charles de Gaulle concentrated skyscrapers, rather than changing the character of the Parisienne buildings with large and modern commercial buildings. Many of Paris' tallest buildings can be found here.

If you are a lover of modern art then you will love the remarkable pieces of modern art in this part of Paris. The business district of La Defense as small as it is it boasts 40 statues, sculptures, and monuments in its 400 acres. One monument that sticks out  is the beautifully colourful tower called Cheminée Moretti or simply Le Moretti. This is a 32-meter high chimney composed of 672 colourful strands of fiberglass tubes. Running at a total length of 22km in 19 different colours. I haven't been in La Defense at night but apparently once the floodlights at the top a lit, it allows the colours of the chimney to be reflected on surrounding buildings.

Getting there: It's the last stop on  line one but can also be reached via line A of RER.

Where to stay in La Defense:

Pullman Hotel, Renaissance, Mercure, Novotel, and Movenpick. All located in La Defense. 

Places to eat in La Defense: There are plenty of places to eat not to mention that each of the hotels mentioned above will also have a restaurant and bars to entertain the many people who visit this district for work.

It's not too far from the city so if you are in Paris and looking for a new vantage point to see the city, definitely check it out.

La Grande Arche de la Défense, a monument, and building in the business district of La Défense and in the commune of Puteaux, to the west of Paris, France. It is usually known as the Arche de la Défense or simply as La Grande Arche.

Le Moretti - Location in La Défense between buildings Neuilly Defence and Manhattan Square

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