A Look at La Défense: Paris’ Business District

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments

I was struck by a theme in my favorite street photography forums: the contrast of people against architecture. So I decided to venture out to La Défense, the skyscraper-filled business district to the west of Paris, hoping to capture some iconic images. La Défense feels like it’s miles away from picturesque Paris, even though it’s easily reached by metro line 1. Ascending from the metro station on this particular (cloudy) Wednesday, I was immediately struck by the atmosphere. It was vibrant – a stark contrast to my last visit there. Workers gathered for outdoor meetings (“cours de finance”), and there was a charity foot race to raise money to help research on children’s cancer. Expansive green spaces echoed the dramatic transformations that I already saw at the forecourt of the Hotel de Ville.

Wandering around the Grande Arche, I observed people rushing to work (“vers le taf”) or engrossed in their morning reading (“lecture le matin”), while others elegantly ascended the stairs (“bien fringué”). As lunchtime approached, one fast-food spot touted its “GOAT” offering (“le goat”), some workers opted for a more refined meal (“déjeuner en haut”), and others hurried to different destinations (“buts différent”). The sheer scale of the architecture and art created a unique dynamic (“les petits et le grand”), a compelling interplay between the small and the grand. I found myself drawn to a giant spectrum of colors, patiently waiting for the perfect human element to complete the frame (“rayons en coleur”). As others retreated to their offices (“en retard”), I descended into the metro, heading back to Le Marais.

Have you been to La Défense recently? What’s your take?