Uploaded on 2014-11-03 by AnnTs

![La Defence][2] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14149851213351505.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14149851621574376.jpg La Defence is the biggest purpose-built business district both in France and Europe and is located in the Paris metropolitan area at approximately 10km distance to the west from the Louvre museum in Paris historical centre. It covers an about 5.6million m2 area and houses 72 skyscrapers and glass and steel buildings. While very busy in the weekdays it’s quiet during weekends and non working hours. It is estimated that around 8million tourists visit the district per year whereas there are 180.000 whitecollars and 25.000 permanent residents within the area. The infrastructure of the area contains access to the metro, trains, buses and coaches which are located beneath the central plaza, a shopping centre and a large pedestrian site which houses an open air museum with sculptures of famous artists such as Miro, Takis, Cesar etc. The main building of the district is the Grande Arche which was completed at 1989 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French revolution. It has the shape of a cube (H:110m, L:110m,W:110m) and the 3D view of a hypercube. Even though impressive enough however it is argued to have been rather an architectural failure due to the very narrow spaces for the offices provided and a not easy access to escape due to its shape in a case of potential danger. After an accident in the elevators without casualties taken place in 2010, the building administration decide to close it for the public.