paris

[hibeeslass]

Hi my partner and i have booked a weekend in Paris. We have never been before. we are staying in the La Defense district which we believe to be in the business district of Paris therefore we have no idea how far we are from the centre or any of the famous attractions, anyone stayed in this area or got any advice or information we might find usefull?
TIA x

[Buenchico]

La D�fense (RER & Metro) station is only just across the Seine from some of the principal attractions of Paris.

The RER suburban trains provide a sort of 'limited stop' underground service. (Always take an RER train, in preference to a Metro service, where there's a suitable line available. They're quicker and tend to get much less crowded. You can use a 'Paris Visite' ticket on RER trains, as well as Metro and buses). La Defense is just one RER stop (about 5 minutes) away from Charles de Gaulle �toile station, which is right next to the Arc de Triomphe and at the top of the Avenue de Champs-Elys�es.

From Charles de Gaulle �toile station, just 3 stops on Metro line 6 (not much more than 5 minutes journey) takes you to Trocadero station. That's by the Palais de Chaillot which is directly across the river bridge from the Eiffel Tower. So you can see that you're close to plenty of attractions.

Visit the RATP site for information about getting around:
http://www.ratp.fr/
(Click on the Union flag if your French isn't too good!)

Also consider using the Batobus river service. You buy an all day ticket and then hop on and off as you please. The Batobus runs from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame Cathedral, calling at some of the principal tourist attractions en route. It's a lovely way to see the city (and far cheaper than the over-priced guided river tours):
http://www.batobus.com/english/8escale.htm

Chris

[hibeeslass]

Thank you so much for such an informative response Chris, we were actually thinking of cancelling the hotel in la defense and moving more toward the city centre, but your explanation has made me think again, do you think we should stay put?
x

[jno]

it isn't very central itself but as Chris has said, the trains get you into the heart of town in a matter of minutes. I'd stick with it - especially if you've got a good price. Paris isn't cheap at the moment.

[VHG]

Here is a map of Paris, and La Defence is shown in the top left, by the words "La Defence" and "La Grande Arche"

http://www.devinci.fr/ri/incoming/Liens/paris. gif

Here is a picture of the La Defence area, with the Grand Arch in the background

http://www.pld.ttu.ee/~jaan/fotod/defense.jpg

The Grand Arch is lined up with the Arc Di Triomphe and the view FROM the Grand Arch towards central Paris and the Arc de Triomphe is amazing.

Here is a picture taken FROM La Defence looking towards central Paris with the Arc Di Triomphe in the distance

http://image32.webshots.com/33/6/36/73/2913636 73sxyPEc_ph.jpg

[VHG]

Here is a picture the other way round.

This is taken FROM the Arc Di Triomphe looking TOWARDS La Defence.

You can see the Grand Arch in the centre

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GxcAYWDy_As/SJyR17lsUsI/ AAAAAAAAAtI/yNy2OM2IX64/PICT0398.JPG

In fact here is a really nice map showing where La Defence is, and where the Arc de Triomphe is, so you can make more sense of the picture I posed above.

http://www.alhammamtravelcafe.com/al%20hammam% 20world/images/paris_city_map.jpg

[VHG]

Just noticed the picture I posed showing Arc de Triomphe from La Defence will not display.

Let me try another one.

http://image10.webshots.com/11/7/86/97/1794786 97onnKut_ph.jpg

[hibeeslass]

Well i have more than enough to be going on with here and i shalll sit down and study all this fabby info. Thank you very very much guys.

Fi x

[VHG]

Iseem to be having no luck posting a picture showing the view FROM La Defence to the Arc de Triomphe.

Both the ones I tried above were from site "webshots" so maybe that is the problem.

Lets try another couple.

Both of these pictures are taken FROM La Defense (where you are staying) towards the Arc de Triomphe and the centre of Paris

http://pro.corbis.com/images/BB004263.jpg?size =67&uid=%7B84F4E3DB-A281-4587-A30C-589789330D3 B%7D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/2389778488 _fb1f5b2f57.jpg?v=0

[jno]

the grand arch is actually big enough to fit Notre Dame underneath - pretty colossal.

[hibeeslass]

Hi Everyone that advised me
Just wanted to let all you all know we came back from Paris at the weekend. Had a brill time, only downside was that it wasn't actually La Defense we were staying as it said in the iteinery but bit beyond, Nanterre to be precise, however it was no hassle as as you VHG etc said the transport was easy once you got your head round it which didn;t take long. Was expensive 10 euros for a beer but will still be going back. What a lovely city. Le Grande Arche is very impressive as is that whole area, akin to canary wharf i reckon.....laters you wunnerfull wunnerfull people x