Paris – La Défense | December 2019

When people think of Paris, they imagine the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, or the Seine. But there’s another side to the city — a modern world of glass towers, business suits, and urban energy: La Défense.

Located just west of the city center, La Défense is Europe’s largest business district. Its skyline is filled with futuristic skyscrapers, the Grande Arche, and wide pedestrian esplanades lined with art installations. It’s a place where Paris looks forward — a symbol of innovation, modernity, and economic power. Walking here, you feel a very different rhythm compared to the historic streets of the city.

For us, La Défense is not just another destination on the Paris map. On 27 December 2019, we came here for something important: Oxana’s job interview. At that moment, we didn’t know what the future would hold. She didn’t yet know she would be accepted — and that this would become the start of a career journey lasting until the end of 2024.

The photo from that day captures more than the skyscrapers. It captures us — a mixture of hope, nervousness, and support for one another, standing in the middle of a place that itself represents ambition and new beginnings.

Now, as I write these words, I realize something: even though we’ve been back and forth to La Défense many times for work, we still haven’t taken the time to truly explore its beauty. Life and responsibilities kept us busy. But one day, surely, we will return not for business, but to walk slowly, to see its modern art, to enjoy the views, and to discover it as travelers, not workers.

Travel Tips for Visiting La Défense

• Grande Arche: Visit the rooftop for panoramic views of Paris stretching all the way to the Arc de Triomphe.
• Public art: The district is an open-air museum with over 60 modern artworks scattered around.
• Shopping: Explore Westfield Les 4 Temps, one of the largest malls in Europe.
• Evening lights: At night, the towers shine with reflections that make the district feel futuristic.

La Défense may be the business heart of Paris, but for us, it will always carry something more personal — the memory of a turning point in our lives.