Overview

With buildings such as the CNIT (Centre National des Industries et Techniques) or the Grande Arche, the architecture of the La Defense complex is definitely futuristic. Over 1000 major blue chip companies, 15 out of 50 of the world's largest, have set up their head offices here. La Defense also houses one of the largest shopping centers in Europe - the Quatre-Temps has over 250 shops. The promenade on the square (a vast concrete slab that makes up its base) exhibits contemporary sculptures by famous artists, such as Calder, Miro and Takis.