Arc de Triomphe
Arch Triumphal arch honoring French military victories
Atop the Champs-Élysées traffic circle, the Arc de Triomphe marks major boulevards and France’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors climb the internal stair to the terrace for Parisian avenues and Eiffel Tower sightlines.
The Arc de Triomphe is a monumental stone arch located at the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle on the western end of the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France. Commissioned in 1806 after the Battle of Austerlitz, it was completed in 1836 and stands about 50 metres high.
The monument features a large central arch with sculptural reliefs and an interior exhibition space; a stair or elevator leads to a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of twelve radiating avenues. Beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, added after World War I, with an eternal flame and commemorative plaques.
Napoleon ordered construction in 1806 to honour the Grande Armée; works continued under successive governments and the arch was finally inaugurated in 1836. It has since been the site of military parades, national ceremonies and memorial events.
The arch sits at the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly Place de l’Étoile) at the junction of twelve major avenues, approximately 2.5 kilometres west of central Paris landmarks such as the Louvre.
- Viewing platform and steps: A viewing platform at the top offers 360-degree views over Paris; there are 284 steps to the terrace if using the stair route.
- Tomb and ceremonies: An eternal flame marks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the arch; ceremonies take place there on national remembrance days.
How to Get to Arc de Triomphe #
The Arc de Triomphe sits at Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Take Metro lines 1, 2 or 6 or RER A to the Charles de Gaulle-Étoile station; the monument is a 2-5 minute walk from the station exits. Several city buses serve the ellipse (for example buses that stop nearby on Avenue de la Grande-Armée and Avenue des Champs-Élysées).
By car you reach the monument via Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Avenue de la Grande-Armée or Place Charles de Gaulle; it is inside central Paris (no long-distance driving required) and parking is limited around the roundabout.
Tips for Visiting Arc de Triomphe #
- Use the pedestrian underpass from the Champs-Élysées/Charles de Gaulle-Étoile metro station rather than trying to cross the busy roundabout; it drops you close to the ticket office and stairs to the terrace.
- Visit early in the morning or late evening to avoid the biggest tour-group surges; the rooftop offers much better, less-crowded photo opportunities at those times.
- Don't miss the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame at the base of the arch-there is a daily rekindling ceremony at 18:30 that attracts locals and is worth seeing.
Best Time to Visit Arc de Triomphe #
Best visited in late spring or early autumn for mild weather and lower crowds while still enjoying full views from the top.
Weather & Climate near Arc de Triomphe #
Arc de Triomphe's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (657 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
