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The must-do tour in the City of Lights Discover the rich heritage of Paris!
The Grande Arche, national symbol of France
The Grande Arche was inaugurated on July 14, 1989 in the year of the bicentenary of the French
Revolution and on the occasion of the G7. It was initially called “La Grande Arche de la Fraternité” (The
Great Arch of Fraternity). Its designer described it as a window onto the world. It is intended to function
as a place where people with different backgrounds and cultures can meet and communicate. After the
reopening of the Grande Arche, this original role has been updated and modernized to fit contemporary
society.
The Grande Arche came into being through an architectural competition held in 1982. It was initiated by
François Mitterrand as part of his “Great Works of Paris” plan. The winner of the competition was Johan
Otto von Spreckelsen from Denmark. Spreckelsen took part in the competition together with the
engineer Erik Reitzel and enjoyed instant acclaim for his unique and grand design in the form of a large,
hollow cube located in an iconic, historical part of Paris. The Grande Arche does not stand completely
straight. Like the Louvre pyramid, it leans slightly away from its axis by six and a half degrees. The
Grande Arche is constructed as a bridge elevated 110 meters in the air and supported by 12 pillars. It
overlooks the plaza of La Défense and the surrounding districts of the city of Paris. 300,000 tons of
materials were required to construct the monument (equivalent to 30 times the weight of the Eiffel
Tower). Glass and granite were used for the façades and 125,000 000 m3 of concrete for the structure.
In 1986, after various disputes, Spreckelsen abandoned the project. Spreckelsen’s initial plan, which had
convinced the judges in 1983 because of its purity and perspective, underwent several modifications in
the construction of the structure. However, it still has the same effect originally intended by the
designer. Today, the Grande Arche dominates the Paris skyline. Its covers a surface area of 1 hectare
and it weighs over 30,000 tones.
Tour Code: 888-144
Duration: 2h
Departure city: Paris
End city: Paris
Departure Point: Your Hotel
Your reservation is always subject to confirmation by email, normally within one to two business days.
* Adult: 18 and older
* Children younger than 18 are @ 7 EUR.
* Prices will change day to day, due to the currency exchange rates. Tours booked and paid for will be
charged at the current rate at which the tour price is shown. We will not refund any price differences,
should prices drop for the tour. Tours will be subject to Cancellation Fees, should any changes be made
for a reservation.
Your purchase does not guarantee confirmation. Your purchase will initiate a reservation
process. We will confirm with you via email within one to two business days.
Prices may vary due to availability. We reserve the right to make price adjustment without
prior notice.
Please refer to our Standard Amendment, Cancellation and Refund Policy before you make
reservation.
Please refer to Customer Agreement before you make reservation.
Local tour provider reserves the right to make modifications to tour arrangements including order of
tour activities, hotel and its location if deemed necessary.
A strong characteristic of the French people is the respect they have for their history and the restoration
of their national landmarks. The result of this preservation of the past has greatly contributed to the
beauty of Paris today.
There are many things to see and do at the Grande Arche, located in the heart of Paris, the ultimate city
destination in France. This mysterious and symbolic monument dominates the skyline of central Paris
and can be seen from the Louvre pyramid.
Address: 1, parvis de la Défense
92 044 Paris La Défense Cedex
Hours:
The Visit: Open every day from 10 am to 7 pm
11, 12, 25, 26 and 27 February the exhibition will be closed to the public.
On February 28 the exhibition is closed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Duration: 2h
– Please arrive at the Meeting point 15 minutes before.
– This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or
activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator&
name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for
more information.
– Please call on the event morning your Limousine with chauffer on our WhatsApp 24/7 help number.
-We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or mobility impairments on our
tours.
Extra measures may be implemented at some venues due to heightened global security. As a result, we
may experience delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues. Extra
measures may also restrict the size of bags that can be brought inside. To avoid disruptions or possible
denied entry, we strongly suggest that you avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour.
