La Defense

Aujourd'hui we explored La Defense - the commercial centre of Paris. We had meant to visit this location during past trips to Paris but had never made it - there's just so much to do, you know?

It was an interesting wander and served as a reality check to confirm that people in Paris do have office jobs to go to! Our usual days are spent surrounded by late-opening boutiques and galleries, and cafes that are empty at breakfast, except for us and quick, at-the-counter espresso drinkers, and for lunch, well, everybody lunches - shops shutting for an hour and a half while staff dine on salade and a glass of rose - tres civilised!

Got to say I love the salad bowls at some of the cafes - fashioned just for those tiny, round outdoor tables. They are chunky white china, shaped low at the eating front and rising higher at the back - minimum table space but maximum salad depth! So clever.

Back to La Defense. The development of the area dates back to the XV century when the idea of a straight road between their main residence and country residence at Saint-Germain en Laye appealed to the Kings of France. And so it grew from there. Today, La Defense has as its head a white marble arch, built almost (but not quite) in line with the Arc de Triomphe. To give you an idea of size, the hollow of the arch would be big enough to accommodate Notre Dame, including its spires. The main pedestrian walk through the centre of La Defense is home to numerous sculptures and water features and a distant view of the Arc de Triomphe and Tour Eiffel can be seen in one direction.

Now, this was all tres interesting but, pour moi, I don't need to be reminded of the daily grind lurking in wait for my return; I'm happy to spend my Paris moments amidst the late rising, scooter riding, baguette queueing, espresso sipping Parisians who, in another life, I just might be!