Arc de Triomphe

One of the best views you’ll get of Paris is from the roof top of the iconic Arc de Triomphe, the Napoleon-commissioned monument that honors the French army for their victory at Austerlitz, and also serves as a powerful symbol of French patriotism. Looking around you can see the Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and twelve bustling shop-studded avenues below including the beautiful, exclusive, and world-famous Champs Elysees.  

First, be sure to see the tomb of the unknown soldier which lies beneath the arc, and stay to watch the eternal flight be lit at 6:30 every evening. Either take the spiral staircase—beware, there are a lot of steps!—to the top, or take the elevator to the small museum to see the reconstruction of the military camp including some fascinating historical artifacts, including some that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, himself.  Just one tip, don't even think about crossing the street to get to the Arc (that would be suicide), instead take the underground passage at the end of the Champs Elysees and get there safer (and with your sanity intact).

If you plan to visit a number of monuments in a short time span, consider purchasing a Paris Museum Pass which, for about €30 gives you unlimited access to over 60 museums and monuments (including the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Château de Versailles) in Paris.

Arc de Triomphe
Address : Place Charles de Gaulle Paris 75008
Metro : Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile (lines 1, 2, and 6)
Bus : 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92 and Balabus. Bus stop is Place Charles-de-Gaulle
Phone : 33 / (0)1 55 37 73 77
Hours: April through September, 10 am to 11 pm. October through March, 10 am to 10:30 pm. The monument is closed for public holidays.
Cost: €9 for adults and children under 18 are free. Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month November through March.
www.monum.fr