One my first sight-seeing destinations in Paris, Le Grande Arche de la Fraternite is a stunning modern rendition of Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in Champs Elysées. Situated in Europe’s largest commercial district (La Defense), this monument was constructed to honor humanity, rather than to glorify victories in battle. While this giant edifice is far less ornate than many of the more historic buildings in Paris, I was absolutely amazed by it’s sheer size and dominating presence amidst the uncommon skyscrapers in La Defense. I can recall trotting out of the metro in search of fresh air (because the metro tunnels smell like the baaaad kind of eau de toilette) and being stopped in my tracks as I gazed upward. I was not expecting such a contemporary piece in an already contemporary district. My first impressions of the city of romance lived up to the ridiculously stereotypical image that has been propagated through the centuries. Imagine old men in berets and striped shirts bustling down the street with baguettes in hand and cigarettes in their mouths, cursing futilely at the ominous rain clouds. Thankfully, the benevolent city of Paris did not disappoint, leaving little for me to imagine of such characters. Seeing jazz legend Ahmad Jamal perform in La Defense was indeed a stark contrast and a departure from the Paris I had familiarized myself with, but indeed was not an unwelcome one. It is certainly worth a visit, if not for the arch and modern architecture, but also the distinctively vibrant Merot sculptures in the plaza. C’est bon.
http://www.grandearche.com/
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