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EuropeFranceÎle-de-France

La Defense

Île-de-France, France · Europe

About La Defense

La Defense works well as a base: 5 minutes from Levallois-Perret, 5km from DS World Paris.

La Defense is a town located in Île-de-France, France. With a population of 20,000, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, La Defense sits in France, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Paris time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add La Defense to your route.

About La Defense

La Défense station (French pronunciation: [la defɑ̃s]) is a station of the Transilien (Réseau Saint-Lazare) suburban rail lines, RER commuter rail network, Paris Métro, as well as a stop of the Île-de-France tram network. In the future, Paris Metro Line 15 of Grand Paris Express will pass through here, making it a

Read more huge railway hub. It is underneath the Grande Arche building in La Défense, the business district just west of Paris. The station is the western terminus of Métro Line 1 and connects the RER A line to the Métro Line 1 station since 1992, the Line 2 tramway since 1994 and SNCF (Transilien) train station. It is also attached to a major shopping centre. There are over 25 million entries and exits each year. A temporary special SNCF service began in April 1959 (1959-04) to serve the newly built Centre of New Industries and Technologies (CNIT); the RER entered service on 19 January 1970 (1970-01-19). The RER E station built under the CNIT opened on 6 May 2024. Highlights on the surface nearby include the monumental Grande Arche, skyscrapers that host the headquarters of important French and foreign companies, and works of urban art such as Le Pouce by César Baldaccini. From the central esplanade the Arc de Triomphe can be seen further down the Axe historique. Until May 2004, this part of La Défense hosted an information centre of the European Union managed by the European Parliament. Like the district it serves, the station takes its name from the 19th-century statue La Défense de Paris, commemorating the Franco-Prussian War.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in La Defense

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in La Defense?

La Defense offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to La Defense?

Plan your road trip to La Defense with Plan Your Road Trips! Add La Defense as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is La Defense located?

La Defense is located in Île-de-France, France, Europe. The coordinates are 48.8920 latitude, 2.2388 longitude.

What is the population of La Defense?

La Defense has a population of approximately 20,000 people, making it a town in France.

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Quick Information

Population
20,000
Continent
Europe
Country
France
Region
Île-de-France
Timezone
Europe/Paris
Coordinates
48.8920, 2.2388

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in France

Police
17
Ambulance
15
Fire
18
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.

Full driving guide for France

Tags

EuropeFranceÎle-de-FranceTown

Worth the detour from La Defense

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

DS World Paris

The striking automotive showroom and brand experience on the Champs-Élysées showcasing French automotive design and innovation.

5 km · about 10 min drive

landmark

Arc de Triomphe

Monumental triumphal arch honouring those who fought for France, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

5 km · about 10 min drive

cafe

Atelier Renault

Renault's flagship lifestyle space on the Champs-Élysées combining concept cars, a boutique, and a stylish cafe-restaurant.

6 km · about 10 min drive

landmark

Eiffel Tower

Iconic iron lattice tower built in 1889 that has become the most recognized symbol of Paris and France.

6 km · about 10 min drive

landmark

Champs-Élysées

World-famous tree-lined avenue stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

6 km · about 10 min drive

museum

Musée de l'Orangerie

A jewel of a museum in the Tuileries housing Monet's monumental Water Lilies murals in two purpose-built oval rooms.

7 km · about 15 min drive

landmark

Palais Garnier

Lavish 19th-century opera house in Paris with its ornate facade, grand staircase, and Chagall-painted ceiling.

7 km · about 15 min drive

landmark

Moulin Rouge

Legendary Parisian cabaret with its iconic red windmill, birthplace of the modern can-can dance since 1889.

7 km · about 15 min drive

Driving in France

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.85/litre
Motorway tolls
~€10.00/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near La Defense.

Puteaux

🇫🇷 France

1 km awayPop. 40,646

Courbevoie

🇫🇷 France

1 km awayPop. 85,158

La Garenne-Colombes

🇫🇷 France

2 km awayPop. 26,385

Nanterre

🇫🇷 France

2 km awayPop. 86,719

Suresnes

🇫🇷 France

2 km awayPop. 44,697

Neuilly-sur-Seine

🇫🇷 France

2 km awayPop. 61,300

Colombes

🇫🇷 France

3 km awayPop. 82,300

Levallois-Perret

🇫🇷 France

4 km awayPop. 62,178

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence