Hotels in La Defense, France

La Défense is Paris's modern business district, just west of the city center, with a temperate climate-mild winters around 40°F (4°C) and warm summers near 75°F (24°C). It's famous for the Grande Arche, a giant cube-shaped monument, and its skyline of glass skyscrapers. In summer, you can walk the Esplanade to see street performers and sculptures, or shop at Les Quatre Temps mall; in winter, the outdoor ice rink at the foot of the Grande Arche is a favorite spot. The area splits into the open Esplanade and the dense tower zone-each has its own feel, but both offer free views of the city's modern edge.