Paris Weekend Break

The Arche de la Defense

Not every one of the Parisian sightseeing attractions are old and this one, the “Arche de la Defense”, is one of the city's cutting edge pieces of modern architecture.

The Arche de la Defense was designed by a Danish architect called Ottao van Spreckelsen to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the 1789 French revolution and it was opened, not surprisingly, in 1989.

The design was the winner of a competition initiated by President Mitterrand, but designer van Spreckelsen died in 1987, two years before the structure was completed). Even so, almost twenty years on, the Arche de la Defense remains an iconic building in a city displaying architecture of every style and generation.

Appearance

The building is an unmissable landmark standing 106 metres high and taking the form of a massive cube. It sits in the “Place de Defense” and, although it is constructed from a pre-stressed concrete reinforced structural frame, it radiates simplicity with its glass and white marble surfaces. (The marble was imported from Italy.)

The arch is often described as a perfect cube, but in fact its actual dimensions are 108m X 110m X 112m making it very slightly non symmetrical. This deliberate variation in dimensions is not however noticed by the cube's visitors. Neither is the odd angle of 6.33 degrees off the alignment of the “Place de Defense” at which the arch is oriented.

From a visitor's perspective, the Arche de la Defense is impressive from the ground, but it also offers the chance to scale the Paris skyline on the glass enclosed lifts (elevators). These lifts take their occupants to a large open roof space where great views can be enjoyed of the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and spectacular vistas spanning the entire city.

Opening times

The Arche de la Defense is open between the hours of 10.00am and 7.00pm daily and is situated close to a metro station named after the arch.