Starting point of the walk: la Défense Arena where concerts, shows, sports events and matches of the Racing 92 rugby club are organised. For the Paris 2024 Games, this gigantic indoor stadium is hosting the Olympic water polo and swimming events as well as para-swimming events.
The walk allows you to explore the different faces of the quartier de la Défense, business districts but also of innovative architecture, home to an open-air contemporary art trail, the Cité de l'Histoire, the Grande Arche de la Défense, the Westfield Les 4 Temps shopping centre. Continue your walk in the surrounding area, climb to the top of the Mont Valérien, admire the works of art at the Fondation Louis Vuitton and enjoy a playful moment with your children at the Jardin d'Acclimatation.
© Defacto
The La Défense business district is home to a freely accessible open-air art trail called La Défense Art Collection. This collection of sculptures signed by the greatest contemporary artists was created when the construction of the La Défense towers began. Among the masterpieces on display are Alexander Calder's L'Araignée rouge, Joan Miró's Les Personnages and César's Le Pouce, which weighs 18 tonnes. In all, there are more than 70 works of art on the tour. An inspiring playground for art lovers and urban photographers alike.
© Johann Von Otto Spreckelsen
Built in 1989, the Grande Arche de la Défense sparkles in all its white Carrara marble, granite and glass. This impressive work of modern architecture reaches a height of 110 metres. It resembles a large cube hollowed out at its centre and was built in line with the Arc de Triomphe, the [Concorde obelisk] (https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transport/place-de-la-concorde-p1981), the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre Palace, Paris's historic landmark.
© Cité de l'Histoire
Open the doors of the Cité de l'Histoire located in the La Défense district and take a fun journey through the centuries. Immersive and innovative tours and shows plunge young and old into the heart of the greatest events in history. A unique interactive experience designed by historian and author Franck Ferrand and Amaclio Productions.
© Mont-Valérien
Rising to a height of 162 metres, le Mont-Valérien, located in Suresnes, offers a breathtaking view from its terrace over le bois de Boulogne, la Défense and the monuments of Paris, including la Tour Eiffel, le Panthéon and Montmartre. Mont Valérien is also a place of remembrance. It is home to a 19th-century fortress, as well as the memorial to la France Combattante, erected in memory of those who died for France during World War II and inaugurated by General de Gaulle.
Gehry Partners, LLP and Frank O.Gehry © Photo FLV, Louis-Marie Dauzat
Nestling in the Bois de Boulogne, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is an all-glass building designed by the American architect Frank Gehry. Composed of transparent sails that let in natural light, it evokes the shape of a great ship set in the heart of the bois de Boulogne. The Fondation Louis Vuitton offers popular exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, as well as a cultural programme of concerts, shows, workshops, themed tours and family activities. Climb up to the terraces and admire the views over the Bois de Boulogne and the surrounding area.
© Sylvain Bachelot
A place dedicated to family fun, set in the lush greenery of the bois de Boulogne, the Jardin d'Acclimatation invites you to go green and have fun with its 42 attractions and rides, from Jurassic Island to Speed Rockets and the iconic Dragon. Take advantage of the 18 hectares of parkland to recharge your batteries and meet hundreds of animals, from dwarf goats to alpacas and the park's many birds. The Jardin d'Acclimatation also offers a varied programme of events throughout the year: from shows to festivals, brass bands, parties and workshops. A place where children never get bored.
© DR
Europe's largest shopping centre created in 1981, Westfield les 4 Temps invites you to an intense shopping session. With 140,000 m² of shopping arcades and 250 shops, it offers a vast choice of fashion, beauty, culture, multimedia, food and more. More than 70 restaurants welcome you for lunch or dinner, offering a varied culinary experience. The shopping centre is open every day.
© Hilton Paris La Défense
After this discovery-filled stroll, take an exceptional break at the restaurant Muses La Défense-Hilton. Located in the hôtel La Défense-Hilton, the restaurant welcomes you in a chic and refined setting, with colours and design inspired by the 1960s. In this cocoon, enjoy a unique gastronomic experience and take advantage of a gourmet menu, where dishes are prepared using fresh, local, quality produce. The cuisine is concocted by chef Jérome Salandre and pastry chef Nina Métayer. The wines on offer come from French vineyards and go harmoniously with the dishes. In the evening, enjoy one of the delicious signature cocktails.
