Transforming the La Défense esplanade into a 5-hectare urban park by increasing the amount of green space, transforming the ground, bringing the spaces to life, and promoting its heritage: this is the aim of the Park project. It stems from the overall vision for urban development promoted by Paris La Défense as part of its mission to become the “world's leading post-carbon business district.”

In addition to the goal of generously greening the esplanade, Paris La Défense is radically rethinking the historic axis by alternating squares and green promenades to offer users an improved living or working environment and new recreational or sporting activities. The park project also aims to limit the heat island effect and recreate natural soils in order to contribute to the fight against global warming.

• A NATURE park: thanks to increased greening with flower gardens, groves, trees, lawns, etc. A vast space where nature regains its rightful place.
• A RESPONSIBLE park: thanks to ecological management of the site, the creation of cool spots, greater soil permeability, enhanced biodiversity, the planting of local species or species adapted to the future climate, and improved accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
• A CONVIVIAL park: thanks to a succession of landscaped spaces and squares, with multiple uses and changing atmospheres, encouraging breaks, encounters, recreational leisure activities, in particular with a playground, or sports facilities.
• A PARK THAT IS ALIVE AT GROUND LEVEL: thanks to significant work at ground level, an essential component of the project. The space under the slab will be filled in places and replaced with new, more fertile soil.
• A CONNECTED Park: thanks to new continuity and crossings, the Park will calm and encourage exchanges between different types of users. The Park will also open up more widely to the neighborhoods and towns of Courbevoie and Puteaux.

The future Paris La Défense Urban Park will stretch between the Agam Fountain and the Takis Basin.

• 5 hectares;
• 600 meters long;
• 459 plane trees, 32 lime trees, and 44 small trees preserved;
• 314 trees planted;
• 4,300 m² of additional green space;
• Approximately 3 years of work;
• 200 new benches;
• 1 playground.

In line with the historical axis imagined by Le Nôtre, it responds to an initial sequence of iconic gardens, such as the Tuileries Gardens. The structure of the park presents a regular order of great coherence, inspired by classical gardens. Alternating between squares and green walkways, the park will extend over a length of 600 meters.

The distribution and range of plants have been developed in close collaboration with ecologists to respond to exposure conditions (wind, sunlight), water constraints, and soil thickness.

The project adds additional layers of vegetation:

• Small colorful shrubs: Japanese cherry trees, dogwoods, apple trees, cotinus
• A system of hedges composed of different species and colors: osmanthus, ilex, myrtle, honeysuckle
• Flower beds and plants, some of which are local: irises, lilies, periwinkles, euphorbias, daylilies, etc.
• Lawns for lunch, leisure, and relaxation

Six new planted ponds, including a playful fountain along the main axis, are planned for the project. These water features will bring freshness, extending the narrative between the Agam fountain and the Takis pond.

The arrival of the park will enrich and diversify the fauna and flora present in the area. New species (flowers, birds, insects) will flourish and nest in the shrubs, hedges, and flower beds.

The landscape of Paris La Défense is very distinctive, with unique characteristics linked to its slab design combined with steep slopes. Designing a large park there is therefore a technical challenge.

2021: studies conducted by the consortium led by Michel Desvigne Paysagiste

2023: Finalization of the park project

2025: Start of construction

Horizon 2028: Phased delivery of the park

For any inquiries regarding the project and construction work, please contact: leparc@parisladefense.com.

Western phase: from Table Square to the balcony of the lower square
From August 2025 (preparatory work) to early 2027

Eastern phase: from Moretti Square to Takis Basin
From January 2026 to December 2027

Central phase: from the lower square to Moretti Square / completion of construction work 
From September 2026 to mid-2028

A team composed of engineers, architects, landscape architects, ecologists, and urban planners, the Michel Desvigne Paysagiste consortium was selected for its keen understanding of Paris La Défense's expectations. In addition, the consortium has numerous references in the field of slab garden design and iconic public spaces (among its achievements: Mareterra and the Boulingrins garden in Monaco, the Otemachi district in Tokyo, the gardens of the Ministry of Culture and the Jussieu campus in Paris, etc.).

The Michel Desvigne Paysagiste (MDP) agency benefits from the experience of its founder, a landscape architect whose understanding of urban issues earned him the Grand Prix de l'Urbanisme in 2011.

The Arcadis design office is responsible for the technical project management of the La Défense Park project. Its expertise in structural engineering, urban engineering, and sanitation enables it to offer innovative solutions that meet the new technical challenges of sustainable cities.

Specializing in urban ecology, Urban-Eco Scop brings together several partners (agricultural engineers, ecologists, etc.) driven by a desire to promote sustainable landscaping and ecological programs and projects. It therefore guarantees the ecological relevance of the Park project.

8'18 and BET are responsible for lighting design, and Diluvial for fountains and irrigation.

The Ville Ouverte team, which brings together around thirty urban planners, architects, engineers, and programmers, is an expert in public consultation and the deployment of uses.

The desire to green the esplanade took root several years ago. The neighborhood's greening initiative began in 2016 with an initial experimental phase of pre-programming, with a temporary focus:

• In 2017, Place Basse was extensively greened, becoming a very popular public space. In 2019, after consulting with residents to determine the future uses of the esplanade, this ambition was confirmed as a project to become the Park project.
• In the fall of 2020, forest islands with wooden hammocks were installed under the plane trees on the esplanade.
• In spring 2021, raised gardens were added to complete the decor. Specifically, 13 raised gardens were created in elegant wooden planters ranging from 80 to 168 m², with 45 plant species selected as part of this experiment, which is expected to last at least three years.

During these initial stages, Paris La Défense was supported by experts in landscaping and programming: Atelier Foïs and Botanica.

From then on, the decision was made to transform the esplanade into an ambitious, long-term project, as imagined by Michel Desvigne.

The esplanade was the subject of an initial greening project fifty years ago. In 1972, American landscape architect Dan Kiley transformed the La Défense esplanade into a garden. He was a member of a group of American landscape architects working in the modern style, who revisited classical gardens with a focus on rigorous composition and beautiful proportions and lines as hallmarks of their landscape design.