La Défense, Paris

A brief visit to the pedestrian plaza and transportation hub of La Défense, the trendy business suburb of Paris. La Défense is a planned community in which cars, trains, and buses have been banished to underground tunnels and terminals, leaving the open street level to pedestrians. The area got off to a slow start decades ago, but has grown in prestige and popularity and is now one of the most expensive business districts in Europe. It’s a nice place to work, especially at lunchtime, when everyone comes ou