Arc de Triomphe

Standing at the top of the Champs-Élysées on Place Charles-de-Gaulle, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the world's most famous triumphal arches and a defining symbol of French national pride. Twelve grand avenues radiate outward from the roundabout surrounding it, and its rooftop terrace offers one of the best panoramic views in Paris, looking straight down the Champs-Élysées toward the Louvre in one direction and the Eiffel Tower in the other.

Napoleon commissioned the arch in 1806 as a tribute to the French army, intending it to honor his soldiers' victories. Construction stretched on for three decades due to political upheaval and funding issues, and the monument was finally completed and inaugurated in 1836, long after Napoleon's death. Its facades and interior are decorated with sculpted reliefs depicting battles of the Republic and Empire, and the names of hundreds of French generals are inscribed inside the arch. In 1920, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed beneath the arch to honor France's fallen from the First World War, and its eternal flame has been rekindled every evening since 1923.

• Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806; completed and inaugurated in 1836
• Height: 50 metres; width: 22 metres
• Inscribed with the names of around 660 French generals
• Steps to the rooftop terrace: 284, with a lift available for visitors with reduced mobility
• Home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its eternal flame, rekindled every evening since 1923
• Sits at the center of Place Charles-de-Gaulle, where twelve avenues converge

• The rooftop terrace, offering panoramic views down the Champs-Élysées, toward the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its eternal flame at the base of the monument
• Sculpted reliefs and friezes on the facades depicting scenes from the Napoleonic wars
• A small museum inside the arch detailing its history and construction
• The nightly flame rekindling ceremony, held each evening at 6:30 PM

Hours shift seasonally and the monument occasionally adjusts for ceremonies, holidays, or weather, so it's worth checking the official website before visiting.

• April to September: daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• October to March: daily from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
• Last entry is 45 minutes before closing
• Standard adult ticket: approximately €16 to €22 depending on season
• Free entry for visitors under 18, and for EU citizens aged 18–25
• Closed on January 1, May 1, May 8 (morning), July 14 (morning), November 11 (morning), and December 25

• Sunset is widely considered the best time, with the city lighting up as evening falls
• Staying for the flame ceremony at 6:30 PM adds a memorable moment to a sunset visit
• Booking a skip-the-line ticket online in advance avoids the general admission queue
• Most visits take 45 minutes to an hour, or closer to 90 minutes if staying for sunset and the ceremony

The Arc de Triomphe sits on Place Charles-de-Gaulle at the top of the Champs-Élysées. Visitors reach the monument via an underground pedestrian tunnel, since crossing the surrounding roundabout on foot is not permitted. The nearest metro station is Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, served by multiple lines.

• Champs-Élysées: Paris's famous avenue for shopping and cafés, stretching from the arch toward Place de la Concorde
• Trocadéro: about a 30-minute walk away, with well-known views of the Eiffel Tower
• Avenue Foch: a grand, tree-lined avenue near the arch
• Palais de Chaillot: a museum complex within walking distance

• Book tickets online in advance for access to the shorter reserved-entry line
• Large bags and suitcases are not permitted; maximum bag size is around 40 x 40 x 20 cm
• Strollers and camera tripods are generally not allowed unless authorized
• Dress respectfully, as the monument honors fallen French soldiers
• Use the underground tunnel to reach the arch safely rather than crossing the roundabout