Arc de Triomphe

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The Arc de Triomphe is a historic landmark of monumental proportions

View of the Arc de Triomphe from across the traffic circle cc licensed photo by asw909

Seeing the Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch) in person is a must if you are visiting Paris for the first time. This huge and impressive historical monument is an example of French patriotism at it's highest. The Arch stands 164 feet high and 148 feet wide. The large opening is 96 feet high and 48 feet across. You can reach the top of Arch by a combination of a lift and steps. There you will find a museum about the Arc de Triomphe and at the very top a viewing area where you can enjoy panoramic views of Paris.

The Arc De Triomphe is located at the west end of the Champs-Élysées in the centre of a large and chaotic traffic circle from which 12 streets radiate. The monument, designed by Jean Chalgrin, was commissioned in 1806 as a tribute to the Grand Army in celebration of Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz during the height of his success. Construction took place over a period of 30 years and eventually, in 1940, the remains of Napoleon passed beneath the Arc enroute to their resting place at Les Invalides.

Four significant sculptures on the Arc De Triomphe are Le Départ de 1792', Le Triomphe de 1810, La Résistance de 1814, and La Paix de 1815. There are also six reliefs sculptured in the Arch that epitomize significant events surrounding the French Revolution and the time of Napoleon. These sculptures are incredibly detailed and must be seen to be appreciated.

On Armistice Day in 1920 an unknown soldier was interned beneath the Arc de Triomphe in what is now known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A flame on top of the tomb burns continually in memory of the many fallen soldiers from World War I and II who where never identified.

Nearby attractions: Jacquemart-Andre Museum - (Private Art Collection) and Parc de Monceau

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Outside is free. Admission charges apply for the museum and viewing platform

Arc de Triomphe Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Address: Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France

Phone: 01 55 37 73 77

Official Website: Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating I've not claimed the top, however it is impressive nonetheless. Beautiful monument well worth a visit. If you've been atop the Eiffel Tower i don't think you can see much more from the Arch if you decide to go up. Ticketed entry of course.
Piotr Waszkiewicz - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating Absolutely one of the must-see attractions of Paris. The statue carvings and ceiling designs are too beautiful for words. Make sure to take your time to walk around as well inside the columns. Tip: Use the underground pedestrian walk to access it, do not try to cross the street unless you want to get hit by a car. Enjoy!
Raquel Mangual-Ocasio - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating This is much bigger than I thought! The history is very interesting and if you pay to go up inside then there's lots of information available and a nice gift shop. We did book online, which was helpful. The views from the top are amazing!
Mark Tilley - 4 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating Visited 5.30pm on a Monday in January 2025. Viewing platform excellent, busy at times, but able to see everything I wanted to:0) No lifts for the so called active normal people, just an enclosed stone spiral 🌀 staircase that goes on for way too long. Great views in all directions, even if it was slightly overcast 🌫️ on the day. Whilst up top Sunset occurred even though the sun ☀️ was not visible all day. And the whole vibe, atmosphere and views changed in the period of approximately 15 minutes 👍 Excellent Gift 🎁 shop, below the viewing platform, lots of nice & unique gifts available :0)
Michael Stretton - a month ago

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5 Star Rating I really enjoyed visiting the Arc de Triomphe! Since it was the first Sunday of the month, entry was free. There was a bit of a queue, but it moved quickly. We arrived early in the morning, just as it opened, which worked out great. Climbing the stairs to the top was quite the workout, but it was absolutely worth it for the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. I was truly amazed!
Susana Simão - 3 weeks ago

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Directions

Metro / RER Line	Nearest Station	Walking Time
Metro 1, 2 or 6 or RER A	Charles de Gaulle—Étoile station	2 minutes

How to get to Arc de Triomphe by Metro / RER

By Metro or RER: Take the Wagram exit from Charles de Gaulle—Étoile station and look for the stairs to the underpass which are located on the north side of Avenue de la Grande Armee right next to the traffic circle. Do not try to walk across the traffic circle - it is far too dangerous.