A Monument to Victory and Memory
Commissioned by Napoleon after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1806 and completed in 1836 under King Louis-Philippe, the Arc de Triomphe honors the French armies of the Revolution and the Empire.
Designed by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin, this neoclassical arch anchors a star of twelve avenues and overlooks the Champs-Élysées.
Inside you’ll find exhibits on its construction and symbolism; beneath the vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with the Eternal Flame rekindled every evening.
Climb the 284 steps (or take the elevator partway) to the terrace for sweeping views and a true sense of Paris’s grand urban plan..
Arc de Triomphe Visiting timetable
See the full schedule below (hours vary seasonally and for ceremonies)
Arc de Triomphe Closing Days
May close for national ceremonies, security operations, or adverse weather
Where is Located
Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
How to Get to the Arc de Triomphe
Rising at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc sits at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle and is easily reached by metro, RER, bus, or on foot.
By Train
Take Métro Lines 1, 2, or 6, or RER A to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. Use the pedestrian underpass to access the monument — never cross the traffic circle above ground.
By Car
Driving is possible but the roundabout is busy; consider nearby underground parking along the Champs-Élysées or Avenue de la Grande Armée.
By Bus
Several bus lines serve the area, including 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, and 92. Check schedules as routes can vary with events.
On Foot
A pleasant walk up the Champs-Élysées or along Avenue Kléber leads you to the Arc; enter via the signed underpass entrances.
Highlights of the Arc de Triomphe
Explore the terrace panorama, the powerful reliefs, and the nightly rekindling of the Eternal Flame — a moving tribute to remembrance.
Stone and Vision: Foundations, Massing, and Structural Logic
A deep architectural read: how foundations, massing, and structural strategies compose the Arc’s enduring stability and ...
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Reading the Reliefs: Iconography Masterclass on Stone Narratives
A guided tour through allegory, composition, and carving technique in the Arc’s monumental reliefs — from Liberty’s cry ...
Learn More →
Arc de Triomphe
The Terrace
Climb to the rooftop terrace for 360° views over the Champs-Élysées, La Défense, and the twelve avenues radiating from the Étoile.
Reliefs & Sculptures
Admire François Rude’s ‘La Marseillaise’ and other monumental reliefs celebrating victory, sacrifice, and peace.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Pause beneath the vault at the memorial, where the Eternal Flame burns nightly in honor of those who fell.
Curiosities about the Arc de Triomphe
Find answers to the most common questions about Paris’s grand arch of memory and victory.
Buy a ticket for the Arc de Triomphe
Visit one of Paris’s most emblematic sites and step onto its panoramic terrace.
Secure your time slot online to avoid queues and ensure uninterrupted terrace access.
