Grande Arche Of La Defense
Modern Architectural Marvel
The Grande Arche of La Defense is located in the ultra-modern business center of
La Défense, just west of the Paris city limit. It is, however, reachable by metro, bus and RER.
The construction of the Grand Arche of La Defense, designed by Danish architect Otto von Spreckelsen, began in 1982 and was completed in 1989. It forms an almost perfect cube made of white marble and measuring 108 meters deep, 110 meters high and 112 meters wide. It is almost three times the size of the Arc de Triomphe.
The Grande Arche was inaugurated in July 1989, to coincide with the French Revolution Bicentennial.
Under the Arche runs the metro, the RER and a roadway.
Available within the Grands Arche of La Defense are exposition rooms, a scale model of the Arche, videos on the construction of the Arche, art exhibits, a restaurant and a bookstore.
Elevator access is available to the top of the Arche. The elevator offers panoramic views as it is a free-standing elevator built almost under the very middle of the Arche.
The Grande Arche of La Defense Hours and Admissions
The elevators run everyday, from 10 a.m.-7:00 p.m., with the last one going up at 6:30 p.m. Admission is 7.50 euros for adults, 6 euros for ages 6-17, and free for those under 6 years old. Family rates are: 2 adults, one child is 19 euros; 2 adults 2 children is 22 euros; 2 adults with 3 children is 25 euros. Groups of 10 or more people is 6 euros per person.
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