Fall-winter trend, in photos: Paris La Défense strikes the pose!
The season for beautiful photos is here! Warm colors are taking over the streets, the days are getting shorter, and fallen leaves are dancing in the wind. There’s no doubt about it—fall is definitely here. Very soon, the Christmas lights will take center stage. These are the times when the lights and colors are at their most beautiful—especially when captured on camera! So grab your cameras and capture the magic of the holiday season!
From the warm colors of fall to the twinkling Christmas lights, Paris La Défense is a photographer’s paradise—especially at this time of year—whether you’re an amateur or a pro. Want to see the neighborhood without the clichés?
Autumn warmth
As you probably already know, Paris La Défense boasts 131 hectares of green spaces, including 37.35 hectares of public spaces, where numerous animal and plant species thrive throughout the seasons. For all of you—whether budding photographers or seasoned pros—we’ve selected the best parks to capture the colors of fall!
Chemin de l’Île park
Opened in 2006, the 18-hectare Chemin de l’Île park is a scenic area featuring ponds, footbridges, and lush vegetation. Many animal species call it home, making it the perfect place to observe local wildlife! Fall is the ideal season to (re)discover the park, with its warm colors and reflections on both sides of the riverbank.
André Malraux park
With its 25 hectares, André Malraux park is the largest green space in the area! It’s a true oasis of greenery featuring hills, bodies of water, and tree-lined paths. There are numerous scenic viewpoints to explore, including some overlooking Emile Aillaud’s “Nuages” towers, which stand in stark contrast to the warm colors of fall.
Diderot park
Diderot Park isn’t the largest, but it’s certainly the most surprising of Paris La Défense’s green spaces! Spanning 1 hectare, a large waterfall blends into the surrounding bushes and foliage. From the top of the garden, take in the skyscrapers of the business district—which you can only glimpse from the bottom of the park.
Christmas colors
Late fall means the start of the holiday season! That’s right—starting November 12, Christmas arrives in Paris La Défense, and the lights will illuminate the neighborhood for the first time this season. We’ve rounded up this year’s best spots for you to photograph them!
Takis basin
After dark, the Takis basin features a shimmering, golden waterfall. Flanked by the Arc de Triomphe to the east and La Grande Arche to the west, the latter is reflected in the rippling water of the basin.
La Défense square
La Défense square is decked out with its traditional giant, illuminated Christmas tree, whose interior is home to a swarm of butterflies as sparkling as they are bright.
Boieldieu terraces
Amid the skyscrapers of La Défense, the Boieldieu terraces are filling up with new magical plants. Glowing dandelions are taking root, lending the place a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Learn more about the Boieldieu terraces
And if you’re looking for a unique activity to add a new dimension to your photos, on Fridays, December 4 and 18, the Legende tower will open the doors to its top floors so you can photograph the La Défense plaza from the sky!
The two extremes
The business district’s permanent collection features more than 60 works of art that are freely accessible at no cost.
Among them is the smallest in the neighborhood: Rezilientia. This piece, unveiled during the 2021 Extatiques cultural season, is a work by Ghyslain Bertholon measuring 1.35 m in height. This sculpture explores our relationship with nature and the way we interact with it. The work depicts a charred tree stump with an axe embedded in it, whose handle appears to be coming back to life. Rezilientia has returned to its place at the heart of the esplanade following the start of construction on The Parc.
Also located along the La Défense axis, the business district’s largest work of art is also its best known: Alexander Calder’s Red Spider. Standing 15 meters tall and weighing 75 metric tons of steel, it echoes the famous “Flamingo” by the same artist, located in Chicago. This monumental work of art has stood in La Défense Square since 1976.
A year-round playground
Throughout the year, La Défense is an endless playground for photographers, regardless of their skill level or preferred genre!
Although the neighborhood is known for its many towers and buildings, its most iconic landmark remains La Grande Arche. With its imposing height, symmetry, and nearly perfect positioning along the historic axis leading to the Louvre, La Grande Arche offers photographers a subject with plenty of depth—whether it’s in the foreground or the background!
One of the most interesting works of art to photograph in terms of color, texture, size, and the surrounding movement is Le Moretti, by the artist of the same name. This long, colorful tube—composed of 672 tubes and 19 colors—is a great spot to have fun with your camera.
Finally, the Japan Bridge offers the promise of a journey without ever leaving the business district. Red arches, transparent vaults, and the reflections of the surrounding buildings make it a lesser-known but nonetheless interesting spot to photograph. The symmetry creates the sensation of being in a tunnel, while variations in natural light or the presence of a subject allow you to create a variety of moods for your photos—all from the same vantage point.