The other reason is that I bought 24 hours access to the Internet which will expire in the early evening and I mightn't be back by then.
Had an easy start to the day today. Got up about 8.30 and wandered down to breakfast. Last day of the sleep-ins! Cases out at 7am tomorrow and on the bus at 8am. Here we go again...
I was tossing up whether to go on the Metro into Paris proper, but when I found out we were meeting at 4pm, I decided just to hang around here and have a good look at La Defense. I had a bit of an explore on the Internet, and I came across this guided walking tour of La Defense, complete with audio guides for my MP3 player. So I downloaded them, and I was away.
It was a good way to explore, because it actually pointed out the interesting bits and gave a bit of an explanation of them. I can't remember it all to write it down but I took lots of pics!!!
(This is the only one with me in it... I didn't trust anyone to ask them to take pics. This one was taken by an English family, who were also taking pics... Safe to ask!)
La Defense is an amazing place. It's like a city within itself. There is something like 300 million sq feet of Office space and 600 million sq feet of Living accommodation. All contained in this high rise and glass jungle. There are shopping centres and a Church and public transport at ease. The even have their own vineyard which produces grapes that are made into wine. It's a mixture of structures and beauty, because there is also an elegant boulevarde lined with tress, that looks so Parisian.
Vines are at the back of this picture
Tree-lined boulevardeLa Grande Arche dominates the landscape and lines up with the Arc de Triomphe. It's a beautiful view all the way down the boulevarde...
The Grande Arche was inaugarated on July 14, 1989, and marked the bi-centennial of the French Revolution.
For more info try this wikipedia siteLa Grande Arche
The Agam fountain was unique with all different colours
The buildings are all skyscrapers. SOme are now ready to be pulled down because they are too old - I think my MP3 said one of them was built in 1970 and is now ready to be pulled down. The tow tallest towers are the Areva and Totoal Towers..
I'll just add a few more pics of the skyline...
Truly amazing that people live here as well as work here. It really is a community in its own right. Speaking of community I found the Church - Notre Dame de Pentecote - so I went in. it was bit like the Chapels in the City - St Francis in Melbourne and Allendale Square in Perth. They don't do weddings and funerals, and only do weekday Masses and prayer services. You have to go to the Parish Church about half a kilometre away for Sunday services.
Anyway I went in, and there was a man who was obviously the priest dressed in civvies but with a stole around his neck. I thought it might have been Mass and being the good girl I am, I thought "This will do for the weekend when I'm on the road". I couldn't understand a word that was said, but I thought it might have ben the liturgy of the Word. So I hung around a bit longer, but after a while I guessed it wasn't Mass. There was a bit of intereaction between the priest and the small congregation and then I wondered if it was Reconciliation, so I said "Sorry God" just in case. But he didn't seem to give absolution. So I figured it must've been just a lunchtime prayer service. Ah well, the intention was there....!
Notre Dame de Pentecote - La defense
There were also a few interessting art works spread throughout the plaza.... Some of my more learned friends may be able to enlighten me further as to what they represent...
The Red Spider
The ThumbBy this time I was getting peckish so I wandered back to the shopping centre I discovered last night and bought a "sandwich" which was really like a pipe-like baguette. Very nice though. Pointing at what you want comes in very handy!!!
One other interesting thing i have discovered about the French, is that at lunch time every restaurant is full and has queues lined up. Not just your average sandwich shop, but the posh restaurants and all in-between. It looks like the French like to dine properly in the middle of the day. No wonder nothing was open last night. They all allow for the lunchtime crowd.
So now, back to the fray. Wish me luck as I start all over again with a new tour group...
What an interesting place! I thought New York had dibs on skyscrapers - maybe not. I had to have chuckle about the 'mass' - I'm sure worthwhile intentions count. Enlightenment on the art - I think their vineyard is really an opium plant in disguise. Enjoy the tour - I must admit Pat and I are very envious as it has been a dream of ours to visit France for a few years now. Pat even found a house he would like to buy in the Pyrenees although I must admit to having some misgivings when I read it came with its own cave. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteLove those comments Denise. You and Pat might just have to venture over to France... I'm sure you would love it.
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