Arc de Triomphe Visitor Information

Located at one end of Paris’s most famous avenue, the Champs Elysees, the triumphal arch is older than the Eiffel Tower, but is somewhat new in the tradition of building arches to celebrate victories. The Romans did it much earlier. In fact, the Arch of Titus had inspired Napoleon to build this 19th-century tribute to his ‘Grande Armee’.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added in 1921. The ‘eternal flame’ is re-lit every evening at 18:30.

You can admire the arch from below at the ground level – either on foot while you’re window-shopping on the Champs Elysees – or by automobile if you’re lucky enough to get caught in the swirl of traffic that plays dodgem around its base. If you choose not to brave the crowds visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is a great alternative.

It’s also less expensive if you’re traveling with students or children. Kids and teenagers, age 18 and younger get free admission.

The top can ONLY be reached by climbing up its 40 stairs. But before you get to the stairs, you have to get to the monument itself (which isn’t as simple as you’d think). DO NOT TRY CROSSING THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE!

There is an underground tunnel on the Avenue de la Grande Armee side of the circle. You can access this tunnel from the Wagram exit of the Metro.

Arc de Triomphe Ticket Prices

Access to the rooftop costs €16 – €22 for adults. You need a ticket to climb to the observation platform. The monument itself is free to walk around at ground level.

Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the queue and head straight to the stairs. There’s no elevator, so you’ll climb all 284 steps. The rooftop includes a small museum about the monument’s construction and history.

Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour here. The observation deck is open-air, so bring a jacket if you’re visiting in the evening.

One of the best days of the year to visit the Arc de Triomphe is July 14th, Bastille Day. The Bastille Day parade follows the length of the Champs Elysees and a huge flag billows from the Arch’s crown creating a colorful photo op.

Note:

• Free entry is available for visitors under 18, EU citizens aged 18-25, and French residents aged 18-25. You’ll need to show valid ID at the entrance.
• French jobseekers and disabled visitors (plus one accompanying carer) also get free access with proof of eligibility.

Arc de Triomphe Opening Hours

The Arc de Triomphe rooftop is open daily, but hours change depending on the season. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing time.

Period	Days	Opening Hours
Apr 1 – Sep 30	Wednesday – Monday	10:00 – 23:00
	Tuesday	11:00 – 23:00
Oct 1 – Mar 31	Wednesday – Monday	10:00 – 22:30
	Tuesday	11:00 – 22:30

Special opening days:

• December 25, 2025: 10:00 – 17:30 (last entry 16:30)
• January 1, 2026: 10:00 – 17:30 (last entry 16:30)

Closures and early closings:

• January 21, 2026: Closed 10:00 – 18:00
• December 24 and 31, 2026: Early closing at 16:00
• Annual closures: May 1, May 8, July 14 (morning), November 11 (morning)

Getting There

The Arc sits in the middle of a massive roundabout with twelve lanes of traffic circling it. Don’t try to cross at street level.

Access is through the Passage du Souvenir, an underground tunnel with entrances at the top of the Champs-Élysées and on Avenue de la Grande-Armée.

• Bus: Lines 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92, and Balabus all stop near the monument. Get off at the Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile stop and look for the underground passage entrance.
• By bike: Vélib’ stations are located on rue Arsène Houssaye, avenue Hoche, rue Beaujon, rue Balzac, and rue Traktir.
• Metro: Take Metro Line 1, 2, 6 and RER A, Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile station. Follow signs for “Arc de Triomphe” to find the tunnel entrance.
• Car: From outside Paris, exit at Porte Maillot and take Avenue de la Grande-Armée, or exit at Porte Dauphine and take Avenue Foch. Parking near the monument is extremely limited.

Map & Address (Location)

Arc de Triomphe

Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France · Google Maps