Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris

Arc de Triomphe from Avenue des Champs-Élysées

the underpass from the underground entrance of Champs-Élysées
to Arc de Triomphe

↓

Go up to the top of Arc de Triomphe

360 degree panorama terrace of Arc de Triomphe

view from Arc de Triomphe

Ferris wheel in Concorde square view from Arc de Triomphe

La Grande Arche of La Defénse view from Arc de Triomphe

Les Invalides & Eiffel Tower view from Arc de Triomphe

Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre view from Arc de Triomphe

↓

Arc de Triomphe on the ground

(in the evening)

Arc de Triomphe

Right sculpture: Le Départ de 1792 (La Marseillaise) by François Rude

 

 

the inner façades of the arches

Left front: Eastern pillar,  Right front: northern pillar

The ceiling with sculpted roses

 

Arc de Triomphe (the other side)

sculpture in the foreground: La Paix de 1815 by Antoine Étex

sculpture in the back: La Résistance de 1814 by Antoine Étex

 

 

We could see the Eiffel Tower [French: Tour Eiffel].

 

Paris city tour bus passing around Arc de Triomphe

 

La Defénse view from Arc de Triomphe

 

(At night)

Under Arc de Triomphe at night

 

Arc de Triomphe at night

Left sculpture: Le Triomphe de 1810 by Jean-Pierre Cortot

Right sculpture: Le Départ de 1792 (La Marseillaise) by François Rude

 

Episode of Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

Tomo&Chouchou have ever been to Arc De Triomphe many times. We saw it from the avenue Champs-Élysées. We visited the Arc de Triomphe without going up to the terrace. We went up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe one day. We visited Arc de Triomphe in spring, summer, autumn and winter. The Arc de Triomphe was fasinating in every season. We also visited the Arc de Triomphe in the afternoon, in the evening and at night. The color of the Arc de Triomphe changed depending on the time. It looked different. At night, it looked romantic. In the daytime, it looked strong. The view from the Arc de Triomphe was special. Normally Charles-de-Gaulle square is very busy and crowded. We cannot be at the center of the Charles-de-Gaulle square. However under the Arc de Triomphe, we felt protected by the arch and we could enjoy the special moment. We could see the Eiffel Tower [French: Tour Eiffel], Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the subcenter La Défense and the Paris sightseeing tour bus. It was not an ordinary view. We could feel kinda superior. One day we decided to go up to the top of Arc de Triomphe. We wanted to take advantage of free admission day. We actually waited the free admission period in winter for that. We went up the stairs to go up to the top of Arc de Triomphe. Once we arrived, we were very suprised to see 360 degree panorama view. We were also surprised at the height. We didn't imagine that the Arc de Triomphe was so high. In front of us, we could see the Ferris wheel in Concorde Square [French: La Place de la Concorde]. On the other side, we could see La Grande Arche of La Defénse. We could see Eiffel tower and Hôtel des Invalides. We could also see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica [French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur] in Montmartre. We could see city of Paris and life of Paris from there. It was worth going up to the terrace. It was unforgettable view.

History of Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe is a victory monument of the battle of Austerlitz (=The Battle of Three Emperors, Bataille d'Austerlitz in French). Arc de Triomphe was started to build in 1806 by the order of Napoleon. Construction was completed in 1836, so it took 30 years to build. Napoleon could pass the Arc de Triomphe in 1940, 19 years after his death. 

The releif on the wall depict the battle of Napoleonic Wars and the state of volunteer army departure. Beneath the Arc is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I. The names of military leaders of the French Revolution and Empire are engraved on the inner façades of the small arches.

Architect Jean-François Chalgrin was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus [Italian: Arco di Tito] in Rome, then designed Arc de Triomphe.

Twelve streets including the Champs-Élysées extend radially around the Arc de Triomphe. This shape looks like a shining star on the map. So this square was named Star Square (=La Place de l'Étoile). It is now called Charles de Gaulle square (=La Place Charlles de Gaulles).

Information

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

Location: Place Charles-de-Gaulle 75008 Paris

Access: Cherles de Gaulle Etoile station of Métro 1, Métro t2, Métro 6 or RER A 

To get close to the Arc de Triomphe, we need to take the underpass from the underground entrance of Champs-Élysée.

Open hours: April - September) 10-23h, October - March) 10-22:30

(Last entry should be 30 minutes prior to the close time.) 

Admission: adult 13 euros (in 2022). First Sunday is free during November to March

Height: 50 metres (164 ft) Width: 45metres 148 ft) Depth: 22 metres (72 ft)

Relating article

＊ La Défense - Grande Arche