Luxor Obelisk
Monument Ancient Egyptian obelisk at Paris's Place de la Concorde
At Place de la Concorde, the Luxor Obelisk was transported from the Luxor Temple to Paris in the 1830s; visitors study its hieroglyphs and its alignment toward the Champs-Élysées.
The Luxor Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian granite obelisk installed in the Place de la Concorde in Paris; it was erected on its present pedestal in the 1830s after being transported from Luxor. It is one of the most prominent single monuments in the square and a 19th-century diplomatic gift from Egypt to France.
The stone originates from the temple complex at Luxor and was removed and gifted to France in the 19th century before being transported and re-erected in Paris in the 1830s. Since installation it has served as a city monument and focal point of Place de la Concorde, surviving urban changes and restorations.
Sited in the Place de la Concorde, central Paris (8th arrondissement), the obelisk sits between the Tuileries Gardens and the start of the Champs-Élysées, within walking distance of the Seine and several major museums.
- Location in Paris: Stands in the center of the Place de la Concorde, making it highly visible from the Tuileries Gardens and the start of the Champs-Élysées.
- Size and inscriptions: Measures about 23 metres tall and is covered in Egyptian hieroglyphs carved on all four faces.
How to Get to Luxor Obelisk #
Place de la Concorde is easily reached by Paris Métro: Concorde station (Lines 1, 8, 12) is adjacent. Several bus routes and RER connections via Charles de Gaulle-Étoile or Châtelet-Les Halles also serve the area; it’s a short walk from the Tuileries and the Louvre.
Tips for Visiting Luxor Obelisk #
- Stand close to the obelisk at dawn or dusk-angles of light reveal hieroglyphic shading and the gold-leafed capstone catches the sun.
- Pair a visit with a short walk through the Tuileries and up the Champs-Élysées to see how the obelisk mediates between ancient Egypt and modern Paris.
Best Time to Visit Luxor Obelisk #
The Luxor Obelisk is a public monument in central Paris and is best seen in milder months-spring and autumn provide comfortable conditions and good light.
Weather & Climate near Luxor Obelisk #
Luxor Obelisk'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 (650 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 (47 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 (53 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 (61 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 (42 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 (59 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 (52 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.
