La Defense is a neighbourhood located in the surroundings of Paris, where there are a lot of skyscrapers and offices. Also, there is a big building called Le Grande Arche, which is a square, where nowadays there are a lot of offices. It was built in François Miterrand times and nowadays is a very known building in Paris. In fact, from here you can see a lot of modern skyscrapers and it is a business zone. We came here with my 7 years old daughter to see this area and the sculpture de Cesar, a big finger, where my daughter enjoyed a lot. Very nice and modern neighbourhood, from where you can see Arc de Triomphe and the place de la Concorde with the obelisc. (See also Le Grande Arche de la Defense and Sculpture de Cesar, le Pouce)

This is a city outside the limits of Paris, a neighbor that has been transformed from industry and rundown buildings into a huge business center. In most of Paris, height limitations mean no skyscrapers, so they were built here in the new town. Some of the architecture is wild, some is boring, and then there is the square arch, the landmark. Sadly there is not much happening on street level, eating and shopping can be found in an underground mall with the big train station.

La Defense is a bit out of the center city area, but an excellent location for access, food and some parks. I stayed in Puteaux, area right next to La Defense. It doesn't take long to get into center city from the La Defense Metro stop. Comfortable walk across the Seine to La Bagatelle and Bois de Bologne, lovely gardens, the Louis Vuitton Foundation (a very cool experience, by the way). And, of course, excellent patisseries on every block. A great place to stay if you don't want to be in the middle of the Paris crowds but near enough to enjoy everything in the city.