Arc de Triomphe, Paris

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If you are doing the L'Axe Historique walk mentioned in my previous tip, you'll run smack into this one. Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile was one of Napoleon's additions to the axis and commemorates those who gave life and limb to the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. It's the second-largest triumphal arch in the world (the largest is in North Korea) and anchors the middle of a star (etoile) of 12 avenues that radiate out from the center of Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile. The funeral procession for the Emperor himself passed beneath its arms, and the remains of French literary hero, Victor Hugo, rested here before his interment in the Pantheon. Today the arc embraces France's Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier and Eternal Flame. It is the beginning point of the annual Bastille Day parade, and finish line for the Tour de France.

On top of the arc is a viewing platform that provides wonderful views of Champs Elysées and the other avenues stretching away from the your perch high above the center of the square. You have to climb 284 steps to get there but the reward outweighs the effort!

As this is one of the few attractions in Paris that is open late into the evening, it's a great one for visiting when other museums and churches have closed for the day. We unfortunately did our climb on a drizzly morning and didn't make it back for a nighttime perspective but c'est la vie: next trip!

Entrance to the arc is included in the Paris Museum Pass, otherwise reference this website for hours, closings and entrance fees:

http://arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr/

And here is a nice website about the arch (but entry fees are outdated):

http://www.arcdetriompheparis.com/

Fun fact: In 1919, one daring (or crazy) Charles Godefroy flew his biplane under the Arc.

Be aware: do NOT try to cross the traffic roundabout unless you have a death wish. Reach the thing in one piece via underground tunnel; there is one on the north side of the Champs Elysées and another on north side of Avenue de la Grande Armee. The Arc has elevator for elderly or physically challenged visitors but it was out of service when we were there, and it accesses only the museum level - you must be able to climb a flight of 40 or so steps to the top viewing platform. Pedestrian tunnels reaching the arch also involve a fair amount of steps.

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I was overwhelmed to be so close to Arc de Triomphe and see the names of all the generals who commanded french troops in all the victories during Napoleon's reign. The arch is beautiful and it is perfectly positioned at the high end of Champs Elysee! It is a site hard to miss when driving or walking on Champs Elysee.
A stop here is a must in my opinion.

well go ahead make your trip an adventure, drive a car on the Champs Elysées and go around the Arc de Triomphe. It has 12 avenues radiating from it, and its never an accident in 8 yrs living here that I have seen or heard.
I drive by it everytime in the city, which is often. The thrill is marvelous, and the sights upon your senses is spectacular.

See the link for more official info on it and take a look at the photo.

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The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It stands in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle. The Arc de Triomphe (Triumph) honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and in the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

The monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806, and its iconographic program pitted heroically nude French youths against bearded Germanic warriors in chain mail. It sets the tone for public monuments, with triumphant patriotic messages.

The monument stands 50 m high, 45 m wide and 22 m deep. It was the largest triumphal arch in existence until the construction of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang.

Like all other monuments in Paris during summer it would be crowded and you have to be patient to photograph your dear ones with the Arch in the background.

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The Arc is located on the right bank of the River Seine at the centre of a dodecagonal configuration of twelve radiating avenue's.It was commisioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napolean at the peak of his fortunes.Laying the foundations alone took two years and,in 1810,when Napolean entered Paris from the West with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria,he had a wooden mock-up of the completed Arch constructed.The architect'Jean Chalgrin'died in 1811 and the work was taken over by 'Jean-Nicolas Huyot'.Following its construction the Arc became a rallying point for French Troops after successful military campaigns,and for the annual Bastille day parade.Many famous armies have marched through the Arc most notably,the German army in 1940 after the fall of Paris and the U.S.army after Paris was liberated in 1944.By the early sixties the monument had become blackened from coal soot and car fumes and during 1965-66 was cleaned through bleaching.

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Last visit September 2011

After strolling up the Champs Elysses, head over to the Arc de Triomphe, climb up the 284 steps to find an amazing view of Paris and watch all the traffic driving round and round and round from the 12 streets radiating out from the Place Charles de Gaulle where the Arc sits. There must be an entirely different set of rules for this roundabout as none of the traffic seemed to be doing what it was supposed to, drive here at your own risk!

It was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, but it was not finished until 1836. He originally wanted it on the site of the Bastille to the east of Paris so his soldiers could "march home through arches of victory", but eventually this site was chosen.

There are four relief sculptures at the base of the Arc commemorating The Triumph of 1810, Resistance, Peace and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known as La Marseillaise. Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars.

Entrance to the top of the Arc de Triomphe is included on the Paris Museum Pass. Do not stand in the ticket line to purchase tickets if you have the pass. And don't try to cross the traffic to get there, access is via an underground tunnel, the drivers have enough to worry about without tourists darting through traffic! The Arc is open past normal museum hours, until 10:30pm or 11pm, it's a nice place to visit both in the day and evening hours.

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The Arc de Triomphe construction started in 1806 after Emperor Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz. The architect of the arc was Jean Chalgrin. It took 2 years to complete the foundations. Finalizing the construction took many years. In the course of time the architects Jean-Nicolas Huyot and Goust. In 1836 the arc was complete and in 1840 Napoleon's remains passed under it on their way to the Emperor's final resting place at the Invalides

In 1919 the first aeroplane flew through the arc; many would follow.

The monument stands 50 metres in height, 45 meters wide and 22 meters deep.

Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War with the eternal flame.

On the walls of the arc 660 names are inscribed.

To goto to the arc use the subway tunnel.
Vistit to the top is Euro 9,--. The climb is via a spiral staircase.

Visiting hours:
1 April to 30 September : 10AM - 11PM
1 October to 31 March : 10AM - 10:30PM
Last admission 30 mins before closing

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A the East side of the Arc de Triomphe the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier is located at street level.

Here lies an unknown from the First World War since Remembrance Day November 11, 1920.

On the tomb the inscription reads: "ICI REPOSE UN SOLDAT FRANÇAIS MORT POUR LA PATRIE 1914–1918" ("Here lies a French soldier who died for the fatherland 1914–1918").