The Great Arch of Defense (French: Grande Arche de la Defense) is located in the capital of France. This building, according to the creators' plans, was to become one of the new symbols of Paris. And although it didn’t quite work out to create worthy competition with the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, the Grand Arch of Defense still gained some fame.
At the end of the 60s of the last century, the French leadership had the idea that it was time to mark the end of the “historical axis” of the development of Paris with some majestic and monumental architectural structure. Let me remind you that this axis originates near the Louvre, then its path runs through the Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde (the main square of Paris), the Arc de Triomphe, stretches to the new business center of Paris - La Defense and ends there in nothing. It was here that it was decided to put a point that would give the final appearance to the segment called the “historical axis” of Paris.
Construction of the arch began in 1983. Of the 484 projects submitted to the competition, only one was selected, submitted by the Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen. The arch looks like a cube with equal sides and a void inside. The dimensions of the sides are as follows: length - 108 meters, height - 110, width - 112. The entire surface of the structure is covered with glass plates. And the total weight of the structure was 300 thousand tons.
Inside the upper edge of the Grand Arch of Defense there is a restaurant, a computer museum and an exhibition hall. There is an observation deck on the roof. You can go upstairs using the elevator. The entrance ticket costs 10 euros. This is the view you will get from the observation deck:
The opening of the Grand Arch of Defense took place in 1989. It fits quite harmoniously into the architectural ensemble of the business district of Paris. And it may well be considered one of the attractions of this city. Although, of course, it is still far from the world fame of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
A few more photos from the Great Arch of Defense:
The Arch of Defense is quite exotic even for Paris - it doesn’t even look much like an arch) It’s like a voluminous hollow cube))
This structure is unlike any other arch in the world because it is essentially a huge cube, 108 meters long, 112 meters wide, and 110 meters high, weighing over 300,000 tons!
The void inside the cube is filled only with a large “Cloud” stand, which successfully emphasizes the strict architecture of the arch
Arch of Defense covered with glass plates 5 centimeters thick, which were developed using a special technology to prevent optical deformation and withstand powerful wind forces, as well as to create the appearance of uniform thickness over its entire area. The arch stands on 12 supports mounted on hydraulic jacks, which allows the shaky soil to support a colossal mass of 300,000 tons
Each horizontal side of the Arch of Defense consists of 1–2 concrete crossbars 75 meters long, and the entire structure is surrounded by a chain of steel cables surrounding the building. For its construction, it was necessary to build both columns separately, for which two teams of qualified specialists with a total number of 2,000 people were hired
At the top of the Arc de la Défense, accessible by amazing glass elevators, there is an exhibition hall, a café and an observation deck, which offers beautiful views of the La Défense district and the western part of Paris.
In general, the Arch of Devance was conceived as a modern response to the famous Arc de Triomphe, with only one difference - it was dedicated not to military victories, but, on the contrary, to humanistic ideals. That's why it was called the Great Arch of Brotherhood
Unfortunately, the Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckels, who developed this colossal structure, never had the chance to complete his brainchild - the Arch of Défense was completed after his death, in 1989, under the leadership of his French assistant, architect Paul Andre. Many, even the Parisians themselves, still think that the futuristic arch was erected quite recently, although in fact it has been decorating the French capital for more than two decades...
The Arc de la Défense is located on the historical axis of Paris, in line with the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. The Great Arch of the Brotherhood crowns this straight line, symbolically marking the transition to the suburbs of Paris
The La Défense quarter is interesting even in itself, because it is even called an analogue of American Manhattan, since the skyscrapers that make it up sharply contrast with the historical center of Paris
The interior spaces of the upper part of the Arch of Defense are comfortably located on a “modest” 115 square meters
In fact Arch of Defense is not exactly on the historical axis of Paris, but 6.33 degrees from it. The precise installation of the arch on the axis was hampered by the freeway and the metro line, but even with such a deviation it is conventionally considered that the Arch of Défense is located beyond the final point of the axis, since the history of Paris itself is connected with the creation of the compositional axis of the city, which begins at the main throne room of the Louvre and stretches to west parallel to the Seine. The very idea of creating a historical axis became the main concept of the regular layout of the city, which is why Baron Haussmann at one time laid the Champs Elysees along this axis, and it also became the compositional axis of the La Défense quarter
The Défense district in Paris arose in the late fifties of the 20th century, when it was decided to relieve the city center of many cars and remove business buildings from it. This is how a piece of Paris appeared, filled with ultra-modern solutions in urban planning. There are a large number of contemporary art sculptures, a building standing on three points of support (CNIT), the Manhattan Mirror Tower and the GAN Tower […]
Area Defense V Paris arose in the late fifties of the 20th century, when it was decided to relieve the city center of many cars and remove business buildings from it. This is how a piece of Paris appeared, filled with ultra-modern solutions in urban planning. There are a large number of contemporary art sculptures, a building standing on three points of support (CNIT), a mirror Manhattan tower and a GAN tower with special green glass, a FIAT skyscraper and an ellipse-shaped tower (EVA).
The architectural ensemble of this area completes and complements or is also called Great Arch of Fraternity (La Grande Arche de la Fraternité), erected as a tribute to humanism and all humanity, in contrast to previously created arches in the name of military victories. This is a monumental cube weighing three hundred tons, 110 meters high and wide with a passage inside (112 meters deep), decorated with a mesh cloud hanging on steel cables. Moreover, the cube is filled with practical meaning, because... The pylons contain various office spaces, and on the top floors there are exhibition halls and a computer science museum.
If you are lucky enough to get to the observation deck of the arch, then you will be able to see the “historical axis” of Paris, passing through the Arc de la Défense - the Arc de Triomphe on the Place des Stars - the Arch of the Carousel in the Louvre, and also enjoy French cuisine in the restaurant. On the Grand Arch website you can look for coupons that give you a 1.5 euro discount on entrance tickets for adults.
Great Arch of Defense (La Grande Arche de la Défense)
1 Parvis de la Defense 92044 Paris La Defense, France
grandearche.comTake the M1 metro or the RER A train, or the T2 tram to the La Défense stop
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The Great Arch of Defense (French: Grande Arche de la Defense) is located in the capital of France. This building, according to the creators' plans, was to become one of the new symbols of Paris. And although it didn’t quite work out to create worthy competition with the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, the Grand Arch of Defense still gained some fame.
At the end of the 60s of the last century, the French leadership had the idea that it was time to mark the end of the “historical axis” of the development of Paris with some majestic and monumental architectural structure. Let me remind you that this axis originates near the Louvre, then its path runs through the Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde (the main square of Paris), the Arc de Triomphe, stretches to the new business center of Paris - La Defense and ends there in nothing. It was here that it was decided to put a point that would give the final appearance to the segment called the “historical axis” of Paris.
Construction of the arch began in 1983. Of the 484 projects submitted to the competition, only one was selected, submitted by the Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen. The arch looks like a cube with equal sides and a void inside. The dimensions of the sides are as follows: length - 108 meters, height - 110, width - 112. The entire surface of the structure is covered with glass plates. And the total weight of the structure was 300 thousand tons.
Inside the upper edge of the Grand Arch of Defense there is a restaurant, a computer museum and an exhibition hall. There is an observation deck on the roof. You can go upstairs using the elevator. The entrance ticket costs 10 euros. This is the view you will get from the observation deck:
The opening of the Grand Arch of Defense took place in 1989. It fits quite harmoniously into the architectural ensemble of the business district of Paris. And it may well be considered one of the attractions of this city. Although, of course, she is still far from world fame and the Louvre.
A few more photos from the Great Arch of Defense:
The Grande Arche de la Défense is a monumental building located in the west of the Parisian suburbs in the Défense quarter in the Puteaux commune.
The history of the Grand Arch of Defense in Paris
In 1983, on the initiative of President François Mitterrand, a competition was announced for a modern arch - “The Face of Defense”. The idea was intended to continue the historical axis of Paris, which passes through the Louvre, the obelisk on the square. Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. 484 projects from different countries of the world were sent to the competition. The winner was Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen with his extraordinary, innovative design for a modern arch.
Architecture
The new arch was supposed to decorate Paris and symbolize the new century. It was conceived by the architect as a modern prototype of the Arc de Triomphe, but unlike the latter, a modern arch should symbolize not military victories, but the ideas of humanism.
Like the author of the Arc de Triomphe, the architect Chalgrin, our contemporary Johan Otto von Spreckelsen did not live to see the opening of his brainchild. After his death, management of the arch construction project in Paris passed to the French architect Paul Andreu.
An arch is a cube of regular shape that is hollow inside. The arch dimensions are 112 m wide, 108 m long and 110 m high.
The Grand Arch of Defense was inaugurated in July 1989, after seven years of construction. The opening was timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, as well as the G7 summit.
The Grande Arc de la Défense is visible through the "Small Arc de Triomphe" in the Tuileries Park and the Arc de Triomphe.
The Great Arch of Defense is an excellent example of modern architecture. And although its appearance is unusual for classical Paris, the arch is loved by both townspeople and tourists. The large Arch of Défense in Paris fits perfectly into the modern style of the area and complements it.
Neighborhood of the Grand Arch of Defense
This tranquil, elegant La Défense area offers a variety of cafés and restaurants. Within walking distance of the arch you can stay in the elegant Hotel Napoleon or the luxurious Hotel Concorde La Fayette. The stylish Ascott Arc de Triomphe Paris hotel is also located here. But there are also more affordable hotels and hostels here.
Note to tourists
Inside the arch there is an elevator that takes you to the vertical ceiling, where visitors can relax in the restaurant and look at Paris from the observation deck. By the way, from the observation deck of the arch there is a view of the entire “historical axis” of Paris, as the architects planned.
A small note for those who want to visit the Grande Arc de la Défense in Paris: on the official website you can get a discount coupon for 1.5 euros per adult to visit the arch.