Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Arch Napoleonic triumphal arch near the Louvre
Facing the Louvre’s eastern courtyard, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel marks the historic axis between the museum and Tuileries. Visitors stop for Napoleonic-era reliefs, the sculpted horse groups and photos along Paris’s formal axis.
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a triumphal arch in the Place du Carrousel, Paris, constructed between 1806 and 1808 to commemorate Napoleonic victories.
The monument has a central arch flanked by two smaller arches and is richly decorated with bas-reliefs, Corinthian columns and sculptural groups. A four-horse chariot group crowns the attic and is visible from the nearby Louvre courtyard and the Tuileries Gardens.
Commissioned by Napoleon I and designed by architects Charles Percier and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine, the arch was completed in the early 19th century to celebrate the Grande Armée. Sculptural decorations and the attic group have been altered and restored over time; horses taken from Venice were returned after 1815 and later replacements have been installed.
It occupies the Place du Carrousel immediately west of the Louvre in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, forming part of the historic Louvre-Tuileries axis in central Paris.
- Axis viewpoint: Best photographic views lie on the historic east-west axis that runs through the Louvre courtyard toward the Champs-Élysées, where the arch aligns with the wider Parisian perspectives.
- Public access: Sits in an open public square and is freely viewable at any time; there is no entrance fee to see the exterior from the Place du Carrousel or the nearby Tuileries Gardens.
How to Get to Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel #
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel sits just east of the Louvre Palace, at Place du Carrousel. Nearest metro stations include Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7) and Tuileries (Line 1). It is a short walk from these stops.
Tips for Visiting Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel #
- Visit at dawn to photograph both the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre pyramid with few people in the frame.
- Stand on the historical axis looking toward Place de la Concorde and note how the arch lines up with the Tuileries and the Louvre.
- Bring a good pair of walking shoes - the surrounding place has cobbles and museum crowds.
Best Time to Visit Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel #
Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the historic axis that runs through the arch.
Weather & Climate near Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel #
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (667 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 (53 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 (57 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 (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 65 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 (56 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 (55 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 (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°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 (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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