Arc de Triomphe in Paris

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most photographed monuments on earth and, alongside the Eiffel Tower, it stands as the ultimate symbol of Paris.

It sits right in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle, the point where twelve grand avenues meet, including the famous Champs Élysées. If you're planning a trip to the French capital, heading up to its rooftop terrace is an experience well worth fitting into your itinerary.

Why you should book your ticket online in advance

The Arc de Triomphe sits in one of the busiest, most visited spots in Paris, and during spring and summer the wait at the ticket booth can easily top 30 or 40 minutes.

Booking your ticket online lets you skip the box office queue entirely and head straight into the monument, saving precious time you can spend exploring the rest of the city.

There's another perk to booking ahead: guaranteed access. During peak season, entry to the terrace is capped for safety reasons, and travelers without a ticket risk a long wait, or worse, being turned away altogether.

Practical tips for your visit

• Best time of day to go

  For striking photos and a view without the crowds, sunset or evening is your best bet, since that's when the Eiffel Tower lights up and Paris turns into a blanket of glittering lights. Early morning, right when the monument opens, is another great window to beat the rush.

• How to get there

  The Arc de Triomphe is served by the Charles de Gaulle Étoile metro station, reachable via lines 1, 2, and 6, as well as the RER A. Heads up: don't cross the traffic circle at street level. It's extremely busy, so use the signposted pedestrian underpass instead.

• What to bring

  Weather at the top can differ quite a bit from street level, so in winter it's worth packing a jacket. There are stairs to climb, so comfortable shoes are a must.

• How long to plan for

  Between the climb, time spent on the terrace, and the way down, a visit typically takes between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on crowd levels.

• Free admission

  Entry is free for visitors under 18 (accompanied by an adult) and for EU citizens under 26, with a valid ID required. Even so, booking ahead is still worthwhile, since it makes planning your day much easier and avoids any last-minute surprises.

What you'll see from the terrace

The main reason thousands of visitors buy a ticket to the Arc de Triomphe every day is the chance to reach the rooftop terrace, roughly 50 meters up. From up there you get one of the most complete, breathtaking views over Paris, arguably the best vantage point to understand how the city is laid out.

From the terrace, you can spot:

• the Champs Élysées stretching out in a straight line toward Place de la Concorde
• the Eiffel Tower, clearly visible on the horizon
• La Défense's Grande Arche, the city's modern business district
• the Montmartre neighborhood with the Sacré Cœur basilica
• the twelve avenues radiating out from the square, a striking effect found nowhere else in the world

To reach the terrace, you'll need to climb a spiral staircase of 284 steps. There's no elevator for visitors, so it's worth keeping in mind if you're traveling with anyone who has limited mobility.

Opening hours

The Arc de Triomphe is open every day of the year, with hours that shift slightly by season:

• April 1 to September 30: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• October 1 to March 31: 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM

Last entry is guaranteed 45 minutes before closing. The monument closes on a handful of specific dates, including January 1, May 1, and the morning of May 8, plus a few French national holidays, so it's always worth checking for any unexpected closures before you plan your visit.

A bit of history: why it was built

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806, right after his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, to honor the achievements of his army. Construction dragged on for decades: the arch wasn't inaugurated until 1836, under the reign of Louis Philippe, a full fifteen years after Napoleon's own death.

Standing over 50 meters tall, the arch is decorated with reliefs depicting France's major military campaigns and bears the names of hundreds of Napoleonic generals and battles.

Since 1920, the Arc de Triomphe has also been home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to those who fell in World War I. An eternal flame burns before it, rekindled every evening at 6:30 PM in a ceremony open to the public.

What to see around the Arc de Triomphe

Once you're back down from the terrace, the Arc de Triomphe puts you in a prime spot to keep exploring Paris. From here, you can walk the full length of Avenue des Champs Élysées all the way to Place de la Concorde, passing luxury boutiques, flagship stores, and historic cafés along the way.

Alternatively, head to the Trocadéro for one of the city's most famous views of the Eiffel Tower, or explore the elegant residential streets of the 16th and 17th arrondissements around the Étoile district.