I climbed the Arc de Triomphe at sunset on a clear October evening. The 284 steps left me slightly breathless, but stepping onto the terrace with Paris spread out below – the Eiffel Tower catching the last light, the Champs-Élysées stretching away beneath me – made every step worth it. The rooftop view rivals the Eiffel Tower itself, with far shorter queues.
The Arc de Triomphe stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, one of Paris’s most famous landmarks. Napoleon commissioned it in 1806 to celebrate French military victories, though it wasn’t completed until 1836.
Climbing to the top gives you panoramic views across Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées stretching below, and La Défense in the distance.
Tickets and Prices
Standard admission: €16
Free entry for:
- Under 18s (all nationalities)
- EU residents aged 18-25
- Disabled visitors plus one companion
- First Sunday of the month (January, February, March, November, December)
Buy tickets online at paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr to skip the queue. The Paris Museum Pass also includes entry.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the arch is free to visit for everyone.
Opening Hours
April to September: 10am-11pm (Tuesdays from 11am)
October to March: 10am-10:30pm (Tuesdays from 11am)
Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.
Closed: January 1, May 1, December 25, and mornings of May 8, July 14, and November 11 for ceremonies.
Check the official website before visiting – occasional closures happen for state events.
Getting There
The Arc de Triomphe sits at Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly Place de l’Étoile), where twelve avenues radiate outward like a star.
Metro: Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile station (Lines 1, 2, 6)
RER: Line A to Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Bus: Lines 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92
Important: Do not try to cross the roundabout on foot. Use the underground passage (Passage du Souvenir) to reach the monument safely. Entrances are on both sides of the Champs-Élysées and Avenue de la Grande Armée.
The Climb
Reaching the rooftop terrace requires climbing 284 steps via a spiral staircase. There’s no lift to the top.
An elevator goes to the attic level (one floor below the terrace), but you still need to climb the final 40 steps. This is useful for those who can manage some stairs but not all 284.
Allow 10-15 minutes for the climb. The staircase is narrow and can get congested.
Views from the Top
The terrace sits 50 metres above ground level with 360-degree views:
- Champs-Élysées – The famous avenue stretches east towards Place de la Concorde
- Eiffel Tower – Best viewed at sunset or when it sparkles at night (on the hour after dark)
- La Défense – The modern business district to the west
- Sacré-Cœur – The white basilica on Montmartre to the north
- Montparnasse Tower – South, easy to spot as the only skyscraper in central Paris
Orientation tables help identify the landmarks. Telescopes are available on the terrace.
The Monument
The Arc de Triomphe is 50 metres high, 45 metres wide, and 22 metres deep. At completion, it was the largest triumphal arch in the world.
Sculptural highlights:
- La Marseillaise (also called Le Départ de 1792) – The most famous sculpture, on the right pillar facing the Champs-Élysées
- Le Triomphe de 1810 – Celebrating Napoleon’s victories
- Names of 158 battles and 660 generals inscribed on the inner walls (underlined names indicate those killed in battle)
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating French soldiers who died in World War I. An eternal flame was first lit here in 1923.
Every evening at 6:30pm, a ceremony rekindles the flame. It’s free to attend and worth seeing if you’re in the area. The ceremony lasts about 15 minutes.
Out of respect for the tomb, military parades (including those during WWII) march around the arch rather than under it.
Museum
Inside the arch, an exhibition covers the monument’s history and construction. It’s included with your ticket and worth a quick look before or after climbing.
The displays include old photographs, engravings, and models showing how the arch was built over its 30-year construction period.
Tips for Visiting
- Best times: Opening time (10am) or early evening. Sunset visits offer the best light and city views
- Avoid: Weekends and midday in summer – the queues are longest
- Photography: Try aiming between the metal spikes on the terrace railings for cleaner shots
- Luggage: Maximum 40x40x20cm. Strollers can be left with security
- Prohibited: Tripods, selfie sticks, flags
The arch is beautifully lit at night. Even if you don’t go up, walking around Place Charles de Gaulle after dark is worthwhile.
Nearby
- Champs-Élysées – Starts directly at the arch
- Eiffel Tower – 30-minute walk or 10 minutes by metro
- Louvre Museum – 30-minute walk down the Champs-Élysées and through the Tuileries
- Grand Palais and Petit Palais – 15-minute walk
