La Défense Plaza: A Public Consultation to Revitalize an Iconic Site
Paris La Défense is launching a call for proposals to design and operate a “placemaking” initiative—a temporary installation aimed at transforming and revitalizing the iconic Parvis de La Défense. This presents an opportunity to offer new activities and living spaces throughout the seasons, whether for short or long periods.
Hosting numerous events throughout the year, such as the Christmas Market and the Garden Parvis festival, the Parvis de La Défense remains very stark and offers few places to rest. The consultation therefore aims to find temporary solutions to make it more welcoming, lively, and comfortable.
An iconic space
The Parvis de La Défense is one of the business district’s most iconic spaces. Covering 13,000 square meters, it is also one of the largest entirely pedestrian-only open urban spaces in the Greater Paris area. Thousands of people pass through it every day to reach the transportation hub, the Westfield Les 4 Temps and CNIT shopping centers, or to stroll around La Grande Arche. Today, this space is very stark, with few seating options and highly exposed to the elements.
Paris La Défense now aims to transform the use of the plaza—the central hub of the business district and often the gateway for visitors—into a destination in its own right, one that is welcoming, comfortable, and bustling with activity every day.
A variety of flexible equipment
The area selected for this “placemaking” project is located in the lower part of the plaza, between the main RATP glass canopy at Cœur Transport (Calder-Miro exit) and the RATP exits in the center of the plaza (Boieldieu and Parvis-Esplanade exits).
The goal of the consultation is to create a vibrant, livable space that is recognizable and accessible to everyone—whether employees, students, residents, or visitors. The installation must be easily removable or relocatable to make way for major events organized by Paris La Défense, such as the Christmas Market.
The future installation must offer:
- spaces for socializing and relaxation,
- shaded and landscaped areas,
- furniture suited to different times of the day,
- furniture consistent with the site’s aesthetic,
- facilities that encourage interaction.
The installation may be deployed from February to September to accommodate the site’s constraints and seasonal events. This pilot project is intended to evolve over time, closely aligning with user expectations, in the spirit of urban innovation and continuous improvement.
The project must also include an events program with recurring activities to bring the space to life through various events, such as:
- light sports activities,
- after-work gatherings,
- weekend events, or family-friendly activities.
A project in line with our mission
This future living space will also need to align with the environmental goals outlined in Paris La Défense’s mission statement, which aims to become the world’s first post-carbon business district.
Eco-design, reusable materials, carbon footprint reduction, greening, and climate comfort will be at the heart of the project. The goal is to demonstrate that it is possible to reconcile attractiveness, quality of life, and environmental sustainability in such a constrained urban space.
A comprehensive approach to the redevelopment of the historic corridor
Since 2017, Paris La Défense has been undertaking a major transformation of the historic axis of the business district. Following the completion of Place de La Défense in 2023, work on the Parc de l’Esplanade began in 2025. The goal is to transform the La Défense esplanade into a 5-hectare urban park by increasing greenery, improving the ground surfaces, and bringing life to the spaces, all while highlighting its heritage.