All that you need to know for Visiting Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile

Built over a period of 30 years between 1806 and 1836, is the biggest arch in the world. Today, as it stands tall with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath, it is symbolic of the less glorious aspects often overseen about war. The structure houses a museum and several artefacts, retracing the history of Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile which are worth a visit to be able to better appreciate its magnificence. From the far end of Champs-Elysées, one can't help but notice the massive arch soaring over the city from Place Charles de Gaulle. The Arc dominates the horizon, and one cannot help but be spellbound just by the sight of it.

Napoleon aspired to make Paris the most beautiful city in the world and located in the heart of the city; the Arc justifies this ambition. The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is a symbol of valour to France as well as to the rest of the world.It took two years just to lay the foundation and was completed successfully after an arduous 30 years of labor with several unexpected halts in its process on May 12, 1836. The designer and architect of the Arc, Jean-François Chalgrin, draws his inspirations for Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile from Neoclassical elements of the single arch of the Arch of Titus.The Arc de Triomphe stands 49.5 meters (162 ft) tall,45 meters (150 ft) long and 22 meters (72 ft) wide and is built without columns. The base is decorated with allegorical statues and sculptures, depicting heroic young French soldiers and commemorating the Napoleonic wars. Francois Rude's "La Marseillaise" is one of the most famous ones in which 'Marianne" urges people to the battle. Today, beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WW I, laid here in 1920. There is also a Memorial Flame which was first lit on November 11, 1923.A daily ceremony is conducted to rekindle the flame as a tribute and it is considered a great symbol of liberation after General Charles de Gaulle's laid the white-flowered Cross of Lorraine on the tomb on August 26,1944. Every evening at 6:30 pm,the flame is rekindled by war veterans.

Another Arc De Triomphe fact is that it holds over 660 names of members of the generals and battles engraved on it and the museum below the observation deck showcases interactive exhibits narrating the stories of the arc’s history. The top of Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile can be reached via the 284-step stairway or the elevator. An observation deck is located at the top. You can see panoramic views of the entire city with one of the best views of the Eiffel tower and a trip to Paris is only complete with this fulfilling experience.

Experience the bustling city through the Champs-Elysées, with Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile at the horizon and the Seine river bank on one sire. Stroll through the charming tree-lined streets and enjoy shopping, and dining here. This place is unquestionably one of the must-visit places for any person who loves to travel. The Champs-Elysées has hosted the most important military parades for France over the years, such as the Free French March by the 2nd Armored Division on August 26, 1944, and the American 28th Infantry Division on August 29, 1944, both to mark the Liberation of Paris from Nazi Occupation during World War II. The largest military parade in Europe continues to pass down the avenue each year on Bastille Day.

Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts known as Arrondissements and Champs-Elysées lies in the 8th Arrondissement of the city. Another Arc de Triomphe fact is that it is one of the most-visited sites in Paris and the world with an annual footfall of more than 1.7 million visitors a year.

The Arc is one of the most famous landmarks and the centrepiece of all French national celebrations. The place is full of life, colour and celebration especially on May 8,November 11, Bastille Day (July 14),and the New Year’s Eve.The Avenue gives a wonderful view from late November to mid-January with the area filled with Christmas lights and decorations and Champs-Elysées is a blissful place to exist in during this time around.

Bastille Day Celebrations:

Bastille Day or La Fête de la Bastille or La Fête Nationale, marks the storming of the Bastille prison (1789) and the first major event of the French Revolution. Similar to the spirit of the American Independence Day,Bastille Day is a festive extravaganza throughout Paris with lights,splashing fireworks,parades and other patriotic processions.

Bastille Day cannot happen without the fancy fireworks in the French capital, which usually takes place with a lit sky around nightfall.Major spots to enjoy the firework displays would be around the Eiffel Tower,Montparnasse, the Saint Germain des Près district and also other places with a high enough vantage point to catch a clear view of the night sky.

Apart from the traditional military parade on Champs-Elysées during the afternoon of July 14th, other celebrations include the giant dance party held on the Place de la Bastille the eve of Bastille Day. A unique theme is chosen each year and the entire city comes together in costumes to enjoy the party. There is also the famous firemen Gala where the firehouses opening their doors to the general public (July 13th & 14th) with live demonstrations and celebrations.

Timescope developed this immersive self-service device in 2015, and their virtual reality kiosks are located in many French towns and monuments. Timescope extends the VR experience of a place through historical tableaux, along with voice-over and 360°views.

Another lesser-known Arc de Triomphe fact is that on the terrace, through the VR kiosks, you can experience an augmented view of entire Paris, its monuments, and avenues. The kiosks are convenient to use and have their own easy-to-use contactless payment terminals.

The 3D movie takes you on a journey through time to 15 December 1840, when Napoleon’s body entered Paris, witnessed by thousands of French citizens. The movie gives you the whole experience viewing the funeral from the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, and following Napoleon’s funeral carriage as it reaches its destination at the Invalides!

The entire nation-wide celebration as France won the soccer World Cup against Croatia in the final on 15 July 2018 for the second time in history with the win was captured from the top of Arc de Triomphe by Timescope’s 360° cameras. Thousands of people had gathered in celebration in the Champs-Élysées and around the Arc de Triomphe on that day. This experience gives you an opportunity to relive this enthusiastic, happy moment by being among the French, on the world’s most iconic avenue to celebrate this victory.

Christo, the artist who in collaboration with Jeanne-Claude had created famous works of environmental artworks such as ‘The running fence’(1976),‘The Gates’(1985) is getting ready for another project involving Arc de Triomphe, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou and the Centre Des Monuments Nationaux.

Christo will be creating a temporary artwork called‘The Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped’ which will be on view for 16 days, from 19 September to 4 October 2020 during which the monument would be covered in 25,000 square metres of recyclable, silvery-blue polypropylene fabric and 7,000 metres of red rope.

Napoleon planned two arches designed in 1806. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, often relatively unnoticed by visitors. Napoleon wanted to flank both ends of the Axe Historique with monuments like stars to shoulders to portray his victories. The imaginary "historical axis of Paris" has the Louvre at its centre, runs west through the Tuileries Gardens, the Place de la Concorde, the middle of Avenue of Champs-Elysées, and to the centre Place Charles de Gaulle. Napoleon wanted two arches built bestriding this imaginary line, and the Axe Historique runs directly beneath the Carrousel Triumphal Arch. Although presently unrecognizable, in this place once existed the Tuileries Palace, which was the last home to Louis XVI until his execution in the French Revolution.

Like the ones French emperors used to build, this was a monument that successive French presidents had planned together to align to the Axe Historique. The creation of this modernistic monument began in 1985 with over two thousand craftsmen working on the construction and was completed in 1989, in time for the bicentenary celebration of the French Revolution. It is now open to public and has a rooftop restaurant with stunning views.

The Palace of Versailles, is a popular tourist destination. Housing the Hall of mirrors, the Grand and Petit Trianon, the gardens and the magnificent fountains,this site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that one cannot afford to miss in Paris.

One must also not miss the attractions such as The Statue of Liberty,Tomb of Napoleon & Museum of the Army, Montparnasse Tower, The Column at Place Vendôme, The Obelisk on Place de la Concorde, Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation that Paris holds.

There are numerous restaurants and stores such as Laduree Bakery and Tearoom, Fouquet's, The Louis Vuitton store, and the famous perfumery and beauty institute of Guerlain.

The Paris city pass is a golden card if you are an enthusiastic traveller - it gets you into the top monuments and museums, gives you unlimited rides on the Metro, and lets you bypass the long Paris line-ups. It saves you money and time and has numerous other perks.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the Horizon of Champs-Elysées Avenue in Place Charles de Gaulle and is impossible to miss around here.

Telephone: 0033(0)155377377

Metro: (Line 1, 2 or 6) to Charles de Gaulle Etoile

Bus: Use lines 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92 and Balabus

RER: (Line A) to Charles de Gaulle Etoile

While entering Paris: Exit Porte Maillot and avenue de la Grande Armee or exit Porte Dauphine and Avenue Foch

You can explore on your own with an information leaflet, available in French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Dutch and Russian. There is also a 1.5-hour tour lecture along with which you could go around the Arc and this is available only in English, French, and Spanish.

The Arc de Triomphe is open to visitors almost throughout the year. The timings are as follows:

Jan 2 to Mar 31: Daily 10am-10.30pm

Apr 1 to Sept 30: 10am-11pm

Oct 1 to Dec 31: 10am-10.30pm

Last entry 45 minutes before closing time

The days in which the Arc de Triomphe is particularly closed are

Jan 1, May 1, May 8, Jul 14, Nov 11 and Dec 25

The ideal time to visit the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile would be around 6:00 p.m, when the shimmering lights of the city come to life, and the flame of the Unknown Soldier is lit. The city wakes up to nightlife with people eating out and relaxing. The Champs-Elysées comes alive at this time. The views from the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile observation deck are breathtaking, and you can see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Sacré Coeur.