The Hauts-de-Seine department is located west of Paris, together with two other small departments Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne they form a ring around Paris; the Petite Couronne, or the small crown. With over 1.6 million inhabitants on an area of 176 km2, it is one of the most densely populated departments in France. The area is particularly famous for its modern La Défense business district. But did you know that Hauts-de-Seine is also a green region with beautiful forests and gardens and where nature and history alternate? And that while you are in the historic center of the City of Light within a few minutes.
From the Arc d’Triomphe you can see the impressive office park La Défense, the most important business district in Paris. Here are the tallest and most modern buildings of the city, such as the 179 meter high GAN tower. A must for contemporary architecture enthusiasts. The most famous building in the neighborhood is La Grande Arche, The Great Arch, a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe that former President Mitterand had built. Although some say it looks more like a hollow cube than a triumphal arch, Grande Arche is nowadays the logo of the neighborhood. Tip: take a lift to the top of the arch and enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of Paris. A unique experience!
Alternate the hectic pace of Paris with the serene tranquility of nature in this region and discover beautiful historic buildings in the green. Very special is the castle of Malmaison, the home of the famous imperial couple Napoleon and Joséphine. Walk through the castle and then have a picnic in the Parc de Bois-Préau; the fairy-tale garden of Empress Joséphine who has managed to preserve the English style superbly. You can relax under the two hundred year old trees.
Nature lovers can indulge themselves in the many parks and forests in Hauts-de-Seine. It is wonderful to walk or jog along the many paths in the greenery and along the banks of the Seine. The Meudon forest with no less than 1200 hectares of natural beauty and the Saint-Cloud park with its forests, avenues and ornamental gardens with water features are good examples of this.
Experience the city and the green nature in Hauts-de-Seine!