The Groupama Group and Total have signed a lease agreement for the construction of The Link project, which will house Total's future headquarters in Paris La Défense. The Link, named after the “links” (footbridges) that will connect the two wings of the tower, is a project designed by the architectural firm PCA-STREAM on behalf of Groupama, the site owner, and is being built by Vinci Construction France.

Located in the Michelet district, The Link comprises two towers connected by 30 levels of green walkways. The “Arche” wing will rise 228 meters above the Parvis with 50 floors, and the “Seine” wing will rise 165 meters with 35 floors. The complex will rest on a common three-level base between the urban boulevard and the Parvis. The walkways will create 3,000 m² of floor space and 6,000 m² of duplex space, with all floors connected in pairs by large, open, easily accessible staircases. Employees will benefit from 130,000 m² of office, catering, coworking, and relaxation spaces. These spaces are designed to improve well-being at work and collective efficiency.

The tower is being built on the site of the former Le Michelet building, which was demolished in 2021. Construction of The Link is scheduled to continue until 2025.

Philippe Chiambaretta has rethought the fundamentals of the traditional tower to respond to a change in the model of work organization.

• A new horizontality: PCA STREAM has designed an innovative tower shape that takes advantage of the size of the plot: the tower is split into two wings, connected by 30 links. Over 8 meters wide and featuring rooftop gardens offering spectacular views, these links are designed as meeting points.
• Unique 6,000 m² duplexes: by connecting the two buildings, these Links will create 3,000 m² platforms. All floors will function as duplexes via large open staircases, creating 6,000 m² units that can accommodate 500 people, four times more than a floor in a conventional tower.
• Each duplex will have its own organic life, within which people will move around on foot, without taking the elevator, with the aim of increasing human interaction.
• An “open-air” tower with 2,800 m² of outdoor space: 6 large terraces, 15 open-air hanging gardens, 6 naturally ventilated winter gardens, and 2 rooftop gardens. No employee will be more than a 30-second walk from an outdoor space.
• A viewpoint over Paris: the landscaped rooftop garden, 154 meters above ground, offers a new view of Paris and the historic axis linking La Défense to the Louvre, via the Arc de Triomphe and the Concorde.

The Link will have the highest environmental certification (HQE Exceptional), guaranteeing the best standards in terms of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and acoustics. 100% of workstations will be on the first floor, and 25% of the energy needed to light the tower will be provided by its photovoltaic facade. The work will be carried out in accordance with the Circular Economy Charter for the Real Estate and Construction Sector, signed by Groupama Immobilier and VINCI Construction France.

The Link will enable Total to reduce its energy consumption by 50% compared to its current towers, thanks in particular to its double-skin façade, which provides thermal insulation and will be equipped with photovoltaic panels.

The arrival of The Link tower in 2025 will transform the landscape of the Michelet district. Tomorrow, the district will be largely connected to the rest of Puteaux and will bring real dynamism to Paris La Défense. The Cours Michelet will be extensively renovated and landscaped.

The delivery of the Carré Michelet office complex (Eurosic Gecina) in September 2019 marked the start of this transformation.

In close collaboration with the Hauts-de-Seine Department and the City of Puteaux, discussions have been held on creating urban connections to link the slab to the city center of Puteaux. The redevelopment of the circular boulevard, which currently forms a boundary between the business district and the center of Puteaux, is also being studied with a view to transforming it into a peaceful urban boulevard that can be crossed on foot.

• April 2019: Building permit obtained.
• March 2020: Signing of the lease agreement between Groupama and Total and the property development contract between Groupama and VINCI Construction France.
• 2020: Demolition of existing buildings, design.
• 2021: Construction of foundations.
• 2022: Construction of the base (7 floors, from the 2nd basement to the 2nd floor)
• 2023–2025: Construction of the structure at a rate of one floor per week, interior fittings Second half of 2025: Finishing touches, inspection, and acceptance of the project
• 2025: Finishing touches, inspection, and acceptance of the project

• HQE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING 2016 OUTSTANDING
• BIODIVERCITY BASIC
• BBC EFFINERGIE +
• WELL BUILDING STANDARD CORE & SHELL SILVER
• BREEAM INTERNATIONAL 2016 NEW CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENT

The Link promotes the use of carbon-free transport: no car parking but 350 m² of underground bicycle parking, direct access on foot or by bike from the boulevard, traffic calming measures on the circular boulevard, etc.