Arc de Triomphe Photography Guide

A practical guide to shooting the Arc de Triomphe: vantage points, light, gear, and composition.

1/21/2026

12 min read

Treat the Arc as subject and stage — mass, reliefs, and city.

📍 Vantage Points

Champs‑Élysées median: Symmetry; telephoto compression.
Top terrace: 360°; railings as leading lines.
Avenue Kléber: Diagonals for depth.

🎒 Gear & Settings

Lens: 24–70mm; 70–200mm for compression.
ISO: 100–400 day; 800–1600 night.
Aperture: f/8–f/11 for reliefs.

🌤️ Light Recipes

Golden hour: Warm stone; long shadows.
Blue hour: Ambient glow; balanced highlights.
Night: Expose for spotlit reliefs; bracket shots.

Angles

About the Author

Photography Coach

As a Paris lover and travel writer, I created this guide to help visitors connect with the Arc’s stories — from triumphal ambition to quiet remembrance.