Arc de Triomphe, Paris

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, in the middle of Place Charles-de-Gaulle (formerly Place de l’Étoile), where twelve avenues meet. Napoleon ordered it in 1806, after his victory at Austerlitz, to honour the French armies. Designed by Jean Chalgrin after the triumphal arches of ancient Rome, it was finished only in 1836 under King Louis-Philippe; at about 50 metres high and 45 metres wide, it is one of the largest triumphal arches in the world.

Sculptures

The four pillars carry large sculpture groups. On the Champs-Élysées side are François Rude’s “Departure of the Volunteers of 1792”, better known as “La Marseillaise”, and Jean-Pierre Cortot’s “Triumph of 1810”; facing Avenue de la Grande-Armée are Antoine Étex’s “Resistance of 1814” and “Peace of 1815”. Higher up, six reliefs show scenes such as the battles of Austerlitz, Aboukir and Jemappes and the crossing of the bridge at Arcole, while the inner walls list 128 battles and the names of 558 generals.

History

Chalgrin died in 1811, and work stopped after Napoleon’s fall; it resumed under the Bourbon Restoration, Abel Blouet completed the arch, and it was inaugurated on 29 July 1836. In 1840 Napoleon’s remains, brought back from Saint Helena, passed beneath it on their way to Les Invalides, and in 1885 Victor Hugo lay in state under the arch. The Unknown Soldier of the First World War was buried here in 1921, and since 1923 the flame of remembrance has been rekindled every evening at 18:30.

Visiting

The entrance is through an underground passage at the top of the Champs-Élysées, so never try to cross the roundabout on foot. A small museum on the attic level tells the story of the monument, and 284 steps lead to the rooftop terrace, with views down the Champs-Élysées towards the Louvre and across Paris to the Eiffel Tower and La Défense. A lift is reserved for visitors who need it.

Key Facts

• Size: 49.5 m high, 45 m wide and 22 m deep.
• Built: 1806–1836; architect Jean Chalgrin.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 (Tuesdays from 11:00) to 23:00 from April to September and to 22:30 from October to March; last entry 45 minutes before closing.
• Tickets (2026): €16 from October to March; €22 from April to September (€16 on Wednesdays); free for under-18s and EU residents aged 18–25.
• Getting there: metro 1, 2 or 6 or RER A to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile.