Arc de Triomphe Tickets
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Opening hours
January 2nd- March 31st open every day from 10am- 10.30pm.
April 1st- September 30th open every day from 10am- 11pm.
October 1st- December 31st open every day from 10am- 10.30pm.
Closed on January 1st, May 1st and 8th (morning only), July 14th, November 11th (morning only) and December 25th.
The last admission is 45 minutes before closing time.
How to get there
By Metro- lines 1, 2 or 6 to the stop Charles de Gaulle Etoile
By RER- line A to the Charles de Gaulle Etoile stop
By bus- numbers 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92 and the Balabus all operate to stops close to the Arc de Triomphe
By car- you can drive along the Champs Elysees and navigate your way around the roundabout that the monument is the centre of. It is an extremely busy intersection and finding a free car parking space is not an easy task.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit the Arc de Triomphe?
An adult ticket costs 12 Euros. There are reduced price tickets of 10 Euros for students aged 18-25 from outside the EU as well as groups of 20 visitors. There is free entry for students (aged 18-25) from within the EU, under 18’s and those with a disability.
How busy does the Arc de Triomphe get?
The monument can get very busy, particularly at peak travel times such as school holidays. For reasons of safety the ticket office may periodically close during peak times due to the high number of people visiting the monument.
What are the tour options?
You can have a self-guided tour- there are leaflets available in several languages (available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian and Japanese). An organised tour lecture takes around 90 minutes and is available in English, French and Spanish. Tours for groups must be booked in advance. You should allow at least 4 weeks for this service.
Can I take my dog into the monument with me?
The only animals allowed into the Arc de Triomphe are guide dogs or other officially recognized assistance dogs.
Is the Arc de Triomphe a suitable location for someone in a wheelchair?
There is a lift that takes you up to the attic room. However, from here there are another 46 steps to be negotiated to reach the terrace level.
What is there to see in the Arc de Triomphe?
Inside the monument there is a lift that takes you up to the attic. On this level of the monument you will find a small museum with models of the Arc de Triomphe and the story of the monument from the time construction began. From this point you will have to negotiate your way up 46 steps to reach the terrace. From here you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. If you prefer to climb to entire way to the top there are a total of 284 steps from bottom to top.
Must know
European Heritage Days
There is free entry to the monument on “European Heritage Days.” They are organised for the 3rd weekend of September as well as the first Sunday of the month from January 1st to March 31st as well as the first Sunday of November and December.
Safely crossing to the Arc de Triomphe
The roundabout surrounding the monument has almost continual heavy traffic. The recommended route for pedestrians to use is the underpasses located at the Avenue de la Grande Armee and on the Champs Elysees.
At one time the world’s tallest triumphal arch
With a height of 50 metres the Arc de Triomphe was the world’s tallest triumphal arch until 1938 when it was surpassed by Mexico City’s Monumento a la Revolución. The title of world’s tallest arch returned to Paris with the completion of La Grande Arche in La Defense and measures 110 metres in height.
On permanent display
There is a permanent exhibition inside the monument by the artist Maurice Benayoun which opened in 2007. The exhibition has a symbolic message questioning the balance between war and peace over the last two centuries.
Shields and names of 660
Above the sculptured frieze of soldiers are 30 shields with the names of major French victories engraved from the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. On the inside walls are the names of 660 soldiers. 558 of those names are of French generals of the First French Empire. Those names underlined are those killed in battle.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies beneath the Arc. It contains the remains of a soldier from WW1 and was interred on Armistice Day in 1920. It is the first eternal flame in Europe since the fourth century when the Vestal Virgins fire was extinguished. The eternal flame burns in memory of those that died during both world wars but were never identified. Every year on November 11th a ceremony takes place on the anniversary of the armistice at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Nearby attractions
Conciergerie
The Conciergerie dates from the 10th century and was built as the main palace for the French kings. Over the centuries it was enlarged with its Great Hall one of the largest in Europe. In another hall rhere was enough space for 2000 of the palace’s workers to eat. In the 14th century part of the building was used as a prison with some famous prisoners being interred here including Marie Antoinette and Madame du Barry. The building today is a popular tourist attraction in Paris.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is the final resting place of several famous French citizens. The building is modelled on the Pantheon in Rome. It was originally built as a church and dedicated to St. Genevieve, the Parisian patron saint. It was rebuilt by King Louis XV in the neoclassical style as a way of thanking God after the king had recovered from an illness. During the French Revolution it became a mausoleum honouring revolutionary martyrs. Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie are some of the famous people buried here.
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
This cemetery claims to be the world’s most visited cemetery. In 1804, it became a municipal cemetery in the time of Napoleon. It is the burial place of several famous people including Jim Morrison of the Doors, Oscar Wilde and Edith Piaf. There are lots of sculptures throughout the cemetery as each family attempts to out-do the monuments placed here by previously deceased wealthy relatives. It has resulted in several spectacular works of art that sometimes take the interest away from the gravestones of the rich and famous.