La Defense

La Defence is an area just a West of Paris, 5 metro stops from Arc de Triumph/L'Etoile. It was conceptualized during the 1950s to continue the great monuments of Paris and as a memorial to Veterans and constructed over the last 25 years.

At it's center is a HUGE steel and marble Arch which is in alignment with the Arc de Triump, the at Place de la Concorde and the Pyramide at the Louvre. Around this Arch they have constructed huge high rises which house offices, apartments, shops and restaurants. Only one large fountain and two outdoor cafes...all other restaurants are inside. It seems to have missed the heart of French life with all its steel, concrete, lack of gardens, outdoor cafes, lush greenery and charm. A monument to concrete, marble and steel with some unusual sculpture ie: Le Puce (The Thumb) also pictured below.

LaDefense is a very controversial project among the French population!
See what you think.