La Defense is really a neighbourhood outside Paris and therefore is not in the usaul arrondissement divisions. It is situated between the 16th and the 17th arrondissement. Besides the famous empty Cube which can be seen from afar, the whole neighbourhood was built as if it were a large convention centre. Many political, social, cultural, national and European movements use it as their headquarters. Every day hundreds of state employees commute here and, likewise, hundreds of tourists come here to visit and admire the grandeur of the tall buildings and the large squares and fountains. It is primarily an office district although it is surrounded by residential areas. Direct metro connections and abundant parking make the continuous movement to and from the Defense easy. It shuts down at night.