Defacto Spectacle 2014: Here... Elsewhere

This is a free annual fireworks show held in La Défense - this years will be the fourth edition. It is a little off the radar because technically it's outside Paris, and therefore doesn't get the same level of promotion that Paris events get.

This is great of course, because it means the crowds are smaller and more family friendly. None of the French car burning tradition to be found here!

The show is a mixture of lighting effects projected onto the Grande Arche and other nearby buildings, combined with pyrotechnics and sound. Based on my experience last year, the show is well choreographed, and the smaller 'stage' and audience means the syncing between sound and visuals are much more effective than your average pyrotechnics show.

The theme for this years show is a trip around the world.

••  When: 21:30 on Fri, 19 Sep (show lasts 45 min).

••  Where: In front of the Grande Arche de La Défense.

••  Getting there: Metro line 1 to La Défense station, or RER A to La Défense station.