Modern architecture in Paris

This is a post about our visit to the highrise district of Paris (La Defense), there will be no photos of quaint stone buildings, no accordian players, barrett wearing cigarette smoking or wine drinking.  Instead, there are wonderful examples of modern architecture and impressive structures.  

We went down to this area one rainy evening after work.  This is the view of the Arc de Triomphe from La Defense.  They are in direct alignment with each other which is pretty cool.

Next we have a modern fountain display.  Loved it.

Also an exhaust tower decorated in multi-coloured piping.  Also cool.  There was another decorated with mosaic tiling.  Loved that too.

This is a midrise apartment complex.  At this point the modern architecture haters among you are probably completely out of patience, "But this is made of concrete!" You cry, "how could ANYONE possibly appreciate a concrete building?"  Well, it's no Haussmann boulevard but it does have interesting curves at the bottom and is probably pretty nice to live in.  


Also, this building looks out over a very quiet square.  The quiet was interesting because my past experiences of high density areas have always been accompanied by lots of noisy traffic.  At la Defense the  the central areas are designed for pedestrians (and the metro entrances) and the traffic is routed around the outsides.  

Buildings reflecting in other buildings.  Also, love the precision of the shapes.

Here in front of the Grande Arch, designed by a Danish architect (of course).  It is an office building as well as a monument.  

Something old and something new.

Looking from the Grande Arc to the Arc de Triomphe.

We really enjoyed exploring this area of town, despite the horrible weather, it's very easy to get to on the number 1 metro line.