My daughter and I went up the Grande Arche yesterday ... we couldn't wait! It was SO quiet up there; strangely so. I thought this scene on the top of the arch was somehow slightly futuristic, with only the tops of the high buildings in sight.
We then went onwards into Paris to see the hand specialist about her arm. The news is good, it's perfectly healed and she can now have the plate removed. She'll be back in July for that. :-)
As for our friends, it's onwards and upwards to Roland Garros Tennis Tournament today. We're just hoping the rain stays away.
You're right, it does have a futuristic feel to it. The building in the background appears to be surrounded by water, as well. Wonderful news about and for your daughter.
I've never been to La Defense at all... and yet it's part of my Paris unit. Is it worth the trip? Also, the other day one of my students asked me what the tower inside the Grande Arche was for, and I didn't have an answer...
@squamloon Access to the Grande Arche roof has been closed since 2009, seemingly. There is currently a super photograph exhibition up there, and a restaurant and 'event' area. There's a new rugby stadium being built behind it which you see really well from the top, opening October 2017, first concert : Rolling Stones! In front of the Arche, you get a great view over La Défense, right up through Neuilly, Porte Maillot, up Ave de la Grande Armée and beyond the Arc de Triomphe. The tower you see in the previous shot is indeed the various lifts - all glass so you can see all round as you go up and down. Although the area encompasses mostly shops, cinema and offices, there are some great buildings and lot of sculptures and water features throughout the area. For me it's worth visiting, but I guess it depends on how much time you have in Paris. It's on the main RER line, and the No. 1 metro line, so really easy to access from Paris. Easily tied in with a visit to the relatively recent Louis Vuitton Foundation, which is definitely worth a visit!
@jamibann That's really good info. I think I'll plan to check it out next time I'm traveling as an independent adult, and keep my regular non-skyscraperesque student travel itinerary for first-time teenagers.
