The Arc de Triomphe stands at the top of the Champs-Élysées, in the middle of the great roundabout of Place Charles de Gaulle, where twelve avenues meet. From street level it is a monumental piece of sculpture and history. From the rooftop, reached by a spiral staircase, it gives one of the best views in Paris: the Champs-Élysées running straight toward the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower to one side and the towers of La Défense to the other.
Why visit the Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon ordered the arch in 1806 to honour the armies of France, but it was not finished until 1836, long after his fall. The outer walls carry large sculpted groups, the best known being La Marseillaise by François Rude on the side facing the Champs-Élysées, and the inner surfaces list battles and the names of generals.
Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War. A flame of remembrance burns there and is rekindled in a short ceremony each evening, a tradition that has continued since the 1920s. It is a moving moment to witness if you are there at the right time.
Getting to the Arc de Triomphe by metro
The station is Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, served by metro lines 1, 2 and 6 and by RER A. Line 1 is the simplest from central Paris, running straight under the Champs-Élysées from the Louvre and Concorde. Line 6 is useful from the Eiffel Tower area, and RER A is quick from La Défense or the eastern side of the city.
The most important tip: do not try to cross the roundabout on foot. Traffic circles the arch from every direction with no crossings. Instead, use the pedestrian underpass from the top of the Champs-Élysées or from Avenue de la Grande Armée, signed for the Arc de Triomphe. It leads up to the base of the monument, where the ticket area and the entrance to the stairs are.
Arc de Triomphe tickets and opening hours
Walking around the base and seeing the tomb and the flame is free. Going up to the rooftop and the small museum inside the attic requires a ticket. The monument is managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux, and the official Arc de Triomphe website lists current prices, opening hours and online booking. Under-18s, and many EU residents under 26, have historically been admitted free, and the rooftop is included in the Paris Museum Pass, but check the current rules before you go.
Opening hours vary through the year and the monument can close at short notice for national ceremonies, particularly around 14 July and 11 November. Booking a timed slot online can save queuing at busy times.
There are 284 steps to the top. A small lift exists for visitors with reduced mobility, but most people climb, so expect a narrow spiral stair and take your time.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon into dusk is the classic time: the light is softer, and once the city starts to light up, the long straight line of the Champs-Élysées becomes a ribbon of headlights. On summer evenings this is also the busiest period, so arriving at opening time on a weekday is the way to avoid crowds on the narrow stairs.
Most visits take about an hour, including the climb, the museum level and time on the roof. Allow longer if you want to see the evening flame ceremony at the base.
Highlights
- The rooftop terrace: a full circle of views, with the radiating avenues of the Étoile laid out below you like a star.
- The sculpted reliefs: walk all the way around the base to see the four great groups and the friezes above them.
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: under the vault, with its eternal flame.
- The attic museum: a small exhibition on the history of the arch, on the level just below the roof.
Nearby on the same stop
Charles de Gaulle–Étoile is a natural starting point for a walk across the west of Paris:
- The Champs-Élysées: walk downhill toward Place de la Concorde, about two kilometres, with shops and cafes along the way.
- Avenue Kléber and Trocadéro: head south for around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the terraces facing the Eiffel Tower.
- Parc Monceau: a pretty landscaped park a short walk to the north-east.
To find more places around this station, open Arc de Triomphe on Around the Metro, or browse every station on the Paris metro map.