Visiting La Grande Arche de La Défense - A Modern Arch of Triumph

What is La Grande Arche de La Défense?

La Grande Arche de La Défense is a modern architectural landmark in the heart of Paris’s business district. Unlike the Arc de Triomphe, which honours military victories, La Grande Arche celebrates humanity and peace. Its clean, geometric shape represents an open cube and is a symbol of openness, equality, and progress thereby reflecting France’s forward-thinking spirit. 

Designed to align with the historic “Axe Historique” that runs through Paris, the arch connects centuries of French art and architecture, linking the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe all the way to La Défense.

The famous Arche was cleverly placed at the end of three other arches on the Triumphal Way so that it forms an axis with the two highest buildings in the city – the Tour Eiffel and the Tour Montparnasse with the east-west axis connecting to the Louvre with La Défense.

Now widely recognised as one of Paris’ most popular landmarks la Grande Arche towers above the skyline – at twice the size of the Arc de Triomphe, its archway is remarkably large enough to fit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The huge structure can be seen just beyond the city limits, on the other side of the Seine from the 17th arrondissement, and a short walk from your residence at Fraser Suites Harmonie, La Defense.

Rising to an eye-watering height of 110 metres it has a width of 106 metres. Within the two sides of the Arche, government offices are housed. The roof section was previously an exhibition centre, housing the Musée de l’informatique (Computing Museum) and was popular for its views of Paris.  Unfortunately, it is currently closed but is due to reopen in May 2017.

The area around La Grande Arche is just as exciting as the monument itself. The Esplanade de La Défense stretches out in front, featuring modern art sculptures, fountains, and open spaces perfect for a leisurely stroll or photography. Just nearby are two of the largest shopping destinations in the district: the CNIT shopping centre and Les Quatre Temps mall, offering a mix of international brands, French boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Whether you’re interested in contemporary art, shopping, or simply taking in the modern architecture, the surroundings of La Grande Arche provide plenty to see and do for visitors of all interests.

Location of the La Grande Arche

Why is this such an important attraction in Paris? Well, aside from the art galleries and stunning avenues to stroll down, it shows off a different angle of Parisian architecture. You can see breathtaking views of the other landmarks all precisely aligned down the avenue.

Although the monument encompasses 35 floors of office space, visitors can take the time to explore the cybercafé and museum. Restaurants showcasing tantalising French cuisine from their professional menus. It’s best to avoid lunchtimes when visiting the area, as busy business professionals flock around on their lunch break and it can be difficult to enter the building due to crowds.

Hotels near Grande Arche Paris - staying at Fraser Suites Harmonie

Fraser Suites Harmonie, Paris La Défense is one of the closest serviced apartments near to La Grande Arche.  We’re located under a mile away, along the N13 road.  You will reach La Grande Arche in less than 5 minutes driving there by car or 20 minutes by walking.

Why stay with us?

Our guests return time after time as they know they are choosing to stay with the first-class Frasers group of residences. Winners of the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence for the third year in a row and a tranquil sanctuary nestled within the active business district 5 star Fraser Suites Harmonie, Paris La Défense, is the perfect spot for discerning travellers looking to experience a touch of elegance and luxury while being in close proximity to many of Paris’ top corporate offices and landmarks.

Wake up in the comfortable surroundings of your luxury serviced apartment near the Grande Arche Paris and step out to your private balcony*, which looks out to spectacular views such as the highest point of the city at Montmartre hilltop, the outskirts of La Défense, our private garden or the exclusive neighbourhood of Neuilly Sur Seine in the western suburb of Paris.

Fraser Suites Harmonie, Paris La Défense offers 134 Gold-Standard luxury serviced apartments ranging from suites to two-bedroom apartments.  Designed for comfort and convenience, the residences feature sophisticated interiors with classic touches, natural light and bold artworks. Each of these comes with living, dining, kitchen and bedroom areas, a fully equipped kitchen, flexible workspace and a comprehensive home entertainment system that is set to meet the needs of all at home. These are perfect hotel residences for business travellers in Paris.

Guests are truly spoiled with various options for residing with us. We highly recommend our stunning two-bedroom suites in La Defénse, which are suitable for travellers with larger family units or for groups.  These two-bedroom contemporary apartments near Grande Arche Paris feature fully-furnished separate living, dining, kitchen, complimentary Wi-Fi and bedroom areas and a balcony that looks out to our private garden or the Esplanade de La Defénse metro station situated along the outskirts of La Défense. The perfect option to unwind and relax you’ll find all the amenities you need to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable.

Residences where the customer comes first

Before venturing out to explore the city and the fantastic attractions within Paris, check out our breakfast room.  With many cuisines on offer to suit all tastes let Fraser Suites take care of your first meal of the day.

Keep pushing for your gym goals at our guest-only, fully equipped gym (treadmill, bike, rowing machine, elliptical trainer, set of dumbbells and mats) to take care of your fitness needs.  If you want to do some running or lift some weights we have cardio equipment and weight-training machines in our 24/7 facility.

Make the most of your stay in Paris and see as much as possible with the time that you have in the city. Ask our reception staff for recommendations for a guided tour of the city which includes taking in la Grande Arche - they will be please to assist with this.

Stay in luxury accommodation at la Grande Arche this summer and book with Fraser Suites Harmonie, la Défense.

*Depending on the accommodation type and the suite level

FAQs about La Grande Arche 

How do you get to La Grande Arche? 

La Grande Arche is located at the western end of the Esplanade de La Défense, just outside central Paris. It’s easily accessible by public transport: 

• By metro: Take Line 1 to “La Défense – Grande Arche.” The arch is right outside the station. 
• By RER: Line A also stops at La Défense. 
• By tram: Tramway T2 connects La Défense to Porte de Versailles. 
• By bus: Several city buses and regional lines stop nearby. 

If you’re coming from central Paris, the journey takes about 15–20 minutes. The area is pedestrian-friendly, so you can also explore nearby attractions on foot once you arrive. 

Can you go inside La Grande Arche? 

Yes, visitors can access the interior and rooftop of La Grande Arche. The roof area has previously hosted exhibitions and offers panoramic views of Paris. It occasionally closes for renovation or updates, so it’s best to check current visitor information before going. 

How tall is La Grande Arche de La Défense? 

La Grande Arche stands 110 metres high and  106 metres wide, making it almost twice the size of the Arc de Triomphe. Its massive archway is large enough to fit the entire Notre-Dame Cathedral inside.

When is the best time to visit La Grande Arche de La Défense? 

The best time to visit is early in the morning or late afternoon, when crowds are smaller and the lighting is ideal for photography. Sunset is particularly popular for capturing panoramic views of Paris. Weekdays are generally less busy than weekends, and visiting outside peak lunch hours will help you avoid the local office crowds. Seasonal light installations during winter can also make for a magical visit.