As Europe's leading business district with 2,800 companies and the fourth most attractive business district in the world, Paris La Défense has seen banks and insurance companies relocate from central Paris, between the Stock Exchange and the Opéra Garnier, to this area. Numerous French and international companies have established their headquarters here, as well as the European Banking Authority.

 

The La Défense district is located in the Hauts-de-Seine department, in northwest Paris, and lies at the end of the historical axis that begins at the Louvre Palace and continues along the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, to the Pont de Neuilly and the Grande Arche de la Défense.

 

It all began in the 1950s. The Grand Palais, having become too small to host several major exhibitions, was the decision made to build a larger venue. The La Défense roundabout was chosen as the site, due to its convenient location at the end of Paris's historical axis.

 

In September 1958, the Centre of New Industries and Technologies (CNIT) opened its doors. The most popular trade shows of the time were held there, and everyone admired its spectacular vaulted ceiling. The CNIT had an undeniable ripple effect, and La Défense became the new playground for architects.

In 1964, the first office workers arrived in La Défense, and in 1981, the Quatre Temps shopping center was inaugurated.

 

The Paris La Défense district is a mixed district, with its 2,800 companies totaling 200,000 employees, but also 50,000 inhabitants, more than 50 higher education establishments and 70,000 students, 61 high-rise buildings, with its iconic towers designed by internationally renowned architects, more than 60 works of art scattered throughout the site, more than 200 restaurants and 3,000 hotel rooms, one of the largest shopping centers in Europe: the Westfield Les 4 Temps-CNIT, and since 2017 the largest indoor performance venue in Europe with its 45,000 seats: the Paris La Défense Arena.

 

In 2024, during the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paris La Défense Arena hosted the swimming events and the water polo finals.

 

Paris La Défense also organizes a jazz festival, the La Défense Jazz Festival, a Christmas market considered the largest in the Île-de-France region, as well as summer events such as Garden Parvis.

 

Finally, the district is served by one of the world's most extensive transport networks, with six metro, RER, and Transilien lines and around fifteen bus lines, all further enhanced by the arrival of the RER E in 2024 and the Grand Paris Express in 2031.

 

 

During your stay at the Hotel Jardin Le Bréa, be sure to visit the Paris La Défense district, whether for a business meeting or a day of shopping!

 

 

 

How to get to the Paris La Défense district from the Hôtel Jardin Le Bréa?

Parvis de la Défense, 92400 Paris La Défense

- From the Hotel Jardin Le Bréa, take metro line 4 from Vavin station (1-minute walk), towards Porte de Clignancourt, get off at Les Halles station, then take the RER A towards Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Cergy le Haut, or Poissy, get off at La Défense station.

The total travel time from our hotel is 30 minutes.

 

 

Practical Information

https://www.parisladefense.com/en