PARIS [2] La Défense

The history of La Défense goes back to 1950 when the Federation of Engineering Industries planned to construct the large exhibition hall CNIT on a triangular plot of land. This area lies at the city border of Paris next to the site which is today known as the business district La Défense.

In 1960 the three architects of the CNIT suggested to extend a major boulevard next to CNIT by bordering it with tall office and apartment buildings that would be linked by overhead walkways. Convinced by government authorities and the CNIT's presence, the ESSO company bought a plot of land in 1957 on which to built its new Paris headquarters.

In 1989 the Grande Arche - a veritable monument to the 20th century - enhanced the business district's international dimension and opened the view westward onto new urbanization. EPAD is moving forward with new urbanization plans that will rise on top of the underground A-14 motorway.

Today 140,000 people work and 30,000 people live in La Défense.

Part 1 : Eiffel Tower

La Grande Arche

















The view from the top :















Ground Level































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