Arc de Triomphe
Duration
45 min
Admission
Free
Best time
Evening
Budget
Free
About this place
The Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris's most majestic and historically significant monuments, standing at the centre of the Place de l'Étoile where twelve grand avenues converge at the top of the Champs-Élysées. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to honour his armies, the 50-metre arch took 30 years to complete and houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath its vault, where an eternal flame has burned since 1923.
Tips
Climb to the rooftop terrace for one of the finest and most dramatic panoramas in Paris, looking down the full length of the Champs-Élysées toward the Louvre and across the city in every direction. Use the pedestrian underpass to reach the arch safely, as the surrounding roundabout is one of the most chaotic in Europe. Entry to the rooftop is free for visitors under 26 from EU countries. Visit at sunset or after dark when the Champs-Élysées lights up magnificently below. The arch is easily reached by metro on line 1 or 2 to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile.