🗺️ Arc de Triomphe: 284 steps and a view of 12 avenues

The Arc de Triomphe stands in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, at the very end of the Champs-Élysées. More people walk past it every day than climb to the top. And the upper terrace offers the best view of western Paris.

We checked prices and opening hours against the monument's official page (as of 09/2026, practical information page). This article covers all the practical details for your visit: tickets, 284 steps, the museum inside, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

💡 In short:

The arch was commissioned in 1806 by order of Napoleon and completed only in 1836.
Climbing to the terrace costs €22 from April to September and €16 from October to March (as of 09/2026, Centre des monuments nationaux website).

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History and construction of the arch

The arch occupies the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, which Parisians still habitually call Étoile, meaning Star. Twelve avenues radiate from here, including the Champs-Élysées. The intersection existed long before the monument, and the arch itself was conceived as a reference point for the entire city.

Arc de Triomphe in Paris against a blue sky

The idea came from Napoleon. He ordered the arch to be built after the victory at Austerlitz so that the army could enter Paris under its own triumphal arch. The first stone was laid on August 15, 1806, the emperor's birthday (according to the arch's official website). The project was designed by architect Jean Chalgrin. He used the Roman Arch of Constantine as a model and scaled it up to surpass all previous structures of this type.

The foundation took about two years to build. In those years, Marie Louise rode down the Champs-Élysées, and a wooden mock-up of the arch draped with fabric was hastily erected on the finished foundation for her arrival. After that, work slowed down: the empire fell, and construction was completed only under Louis Philippe.

The official completion date is considered to be 1836 (as of 09/2026, official monument page). In December 1840, a funeral procession carrying Napoleon's remains from the island of Saint Helena passed under the arch. Later, Victor Hugo and other famous French figures lay in state here.

The arch also has dark pages in its history. In 1940, Wehrmacht troops marched through it, and in August 1944, Paris celebrated its liberation at the foot of the monument (as of history of the arch on Wikipedia).

Description of the arch and the museum inside

The monument's dimensions are impressive even today. It is almost 50 meters high, about 45 meters wide, and the vault height approaches 30 meters (as of 09/2026, monument description on the official website). Four sculptural groups stand on the pylons, and the upper frieze is filled with figures in antique robes. The most famous group, called "La Marseillaise," was created by François Rude.

Panorama of Paris with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine

Inside, on the upper level, there is a small museum. The halls display photographs, documents, and printed materials about the monument's construction and the ceremonies held here (as of 09/2026, monument page). The visit takes ten to fifteen minutes and is included in the ticket price. That's enough time to understand the logic of the bas-reliefs before heading out to the terrace.

Beneath the vaults lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The burial was placed here after World War I, and the Eternal Flame has been burning since 1923. Access to the tomb is free: a ticket is only needed for the climb. Every evening at 6:30 PM, veterans relight the flame, and anyone passing by can watch the ceremony (according to the monument's website).

Observation deck and the Paris panorama

284 steps lead to the top (as of 09/2026, official page). The elevator only goes as far as the museum; above that, the climb to the terrace is by stairs. Bring water with you, you'll need the supply: the staircase is narrow and the flow of visitors is dense.

Tourists at viewing scopes on the arch terrace

The terrace sits at a height of almost 50 meters. From there you can see the Eiffel Tower, the La Défense business district, twelve avenues, and the western part of the city. At dusk the lighting comes on, and the view becomes noticeably more striking. Many people come at closing time specifically for that light.

Who it's for: those who are ready to climb on foot and aren't afraid of heights.
Not for: guests with limited mobility, because the elevator only goes as far as the museum (as of 09/2026, visitor information).
The catch: there is almost no shade on the terrace, and in summer it gets hot in the sun.

Tickets and opening hours

Tickets are sold by season. From April to September, a full-price ticket costs 22 €. From October to March, a full-price ticket costs 16 € (as of 09/2026, official website). Free admission applies to children under 18, EU residents aged 18 to 25, and visitors with disabilities together with an accompanying person.

Opening hours also depend on the season. From April 1 to September 30, the arch is open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM. From October 1 to March 31, closing is earlier, at 10:30 PM, and entry on Tuesdays starts at 11:00 AM (checked on 09/14/2026 on the opening hours page). Last entry in both seasons is 45 minutes before closing.

Buy a timed ticket in advance. The ticket office operates on a walk-up queue, which in summer easily stretches to an hour. Timed tickets for the Arc de Triomphe are booked online, and you choose your entry time yourself.

Tours and tickets in Arc de Triomphe

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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How to get to Place Charles de Gaulle

The arch stands on the border of the 8th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements of Paris (as of 09/2026, how to get there on the official website). The easiest way is by metro: lines 1, 2, and 6 and the RER A train go directly to the Charles de Gaulle Etoile station. Follow the signs to the arch, not to the Champs-Elysees.

Arc de Triomphe and Place Charles de Gaulle with cars

You cannot cross the roundabout on foot: the entrance to the square is in an underground passage, which also leads to the ticket office and the stairs. Keep this in mind if it's your first visit, because from above the road looks safe. Traffic here is heavy around the clock.

The best time to go up is on a weekday morning or an hour before closing. At midday in summer you'll stand in line, and there's little shade on the terrace. In winter, go in the afternoon: the light is softer, there are fewer people, and you'll have time for photos without rushing.

Arc de Triomphe on the map

The monument is located in the western part of Paris, between the Champs-Elysees and Avenue de Wagram (as of 09/2026, monument page on the official website). GPS coordinates: 48.8738, 2.2928. Open on the map

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket cost in 2026?

A full-price ticket costs 22 EUR from April to September and 16 EUR from October to March. Free tickets for eligible categories also need to be collected at the entrance (as of 09/2026, ticket prices on the monument's website).

Do I need a time slot and what should I do without one?

A time slot is not mandatory, but with one you skip the ticket office line. The walk-up line in summer is long, especially after 11:00. If you don't have a ticket, arrive at opening time at 10:00: there are noticeably fewer people in the morning.

How many steps are there and does the elevator work?

There are 284 steps to the terrace. The elevator only goes up to the museum; above that you climb the stairs (as of 09/2026, official monument website). With children, allow an extra twenty minutes for the climb.

Can I visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier without a ticket?

Yes. Access to the tomb and the lighting ceremony of the Eternal Flame is free; a ticket is only needed to go up. The flame is lit every evening at 6:30 PM (as of 09/2026, official opening hours). Arrive about twenty minutes early: more people gather at the railing than you'd expect.

When is it least crowded?

On weekday mornings and during the last hour of operation. Entry stops 45 minutes before closing (as of 09/2026, visitor information page). Go on a Tuesday after 11:00 or in the evening during the off-season.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're visiting Paris for the first time, get a ticket with a morning slot on a weekday. If your budget is tight, pick any day from October through March: the price is 6 € lower. If you're traveling with kids, arrive at opening time and leave extra time for the stairs.

The matrix is simple. If you only have two days in Paris, put the Arc de Triomphe in the morning and combine it with a walk down the Champs-Élysées. If you've already seen the city from the Eiffel Tower, go up late in the evening: the lights and illumination are different from the daytime view.

Compare a timed ticket with a guided tour on GetYourGuide. The second option costs more, but it saves you from doing the prep work yourself.

Arc de Triomphe: ticket prices for the climb in 2026 and opening hours