The Arc de Triomphe, or the Arch of Victory, is a monument commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806.
It stands as a tribute to the French soldiers who fought and died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
Situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, this famous gate attracts two million tourists annually.
Everyone falls in love with the fantastic Parisian views from the observatory at the top of this massive arch.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for Arc de Triomphe.
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# Skip the Line rooftop tickets
It’s highly recommended to book your Arc de Triomphe tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Key takeaways
Save time and money by booking tickets online to avoid long queues, especially during peak seasons. You can book a ticket that includes rooftop access. Free entry is available for visitors under 18, EU residents aged 18 to 25, and others eligible for discounts
It’s best to avoid crossing the street directly; instead, use the underground tunnel accessible from the Champs-Élysées avenue
Plan your visit at 10 am or after 6.30 pm for a less crowded experience. Sunset is also popular for exceptional views of Paris, revealing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées
Arc de Triomphe offers free entry on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November, and December, as well as during European Heritage Days in September
Climbing the 284 steps is well worth it, especially for the magical nighttime city lights and Eternal Flame
What’s ahead
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Things to know before booking tickets
You can book Arc de Triomphe tickets online or at the attraction.
Online tickets let you skip the lines, often at a lower price, while also guaranteeing availability for your visit.
After the purchase, tickets are emailed to you, and you can enter by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone—no printouts needed.
Remember to bring your official IDs.
Arc de Triomphe ticket prices

Arc de Triomphe tickets cost €16 for adults aged 18 and above, and they include access to both the monument and the rooftop observation deck.
Visitors under 18 years and regularized non-European residents on French territory aged between 18 and 25 years, French jobseekers & disabled visitors and their carers get free entry.
With this popular ticket, you can skip the main lines by using the ‘reserved entry line’ and present your ticket at the security check.
Access the stairs to the right of the ticket office and head straight up.
This ticket also includes entry to the exhibits and models, offering insight into the monument’s rich symbolism and historical significance.
Ticket Price (18+ years): €16
Buy This TicketReally? Two Arc de Triomphes?
Yes, Paris has two Arc de Triomphes. The grand Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, standing at Place Charles de Gaulle, and its “little sibling,” the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel near the Louvre.
How to avoid Arc de Triomphe traffic
The Arc de Triomphe, which is 50 meters (164 feet) tall, is at the center of a traffic circle with 12 roads converging.
Each road is at least five lanes wide, thus resulting in massive traffic.
So much so that even insurance companies fear this Arc de Triomphe round-a-bout.
Arc de Triomphe’s underground tunnel
To avoid traffic, you can take the stairs on the north side of the Champs-Elysées, which will lead visitors to the underground tunnel.
The Arc and the Champs-Élysées are often mentioned together, as this iconic avenue connects right up to the Arc, making it a natural highlight of any walk or drive along the historic route.
Known as “La plus belle avenue du monde” (the most beautiful avenue in the world), the Champs-Élysées attracts millions of visitors each year with its stunning scenery, luxury shops, and vibrant atmosphere.
See the red marker on the map above? That’s where the tunnel starts. It goes under the Arc de Triomphe traffic circle and delivers you straight to the base of the monument.
If you arrive by metro, get off at station Charles de Gaulle Etoile and follow the signs to the underground passage. Directions to the underground tunnel
Related: Step into the magical world of Disneyland Paris
Opening hours of Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe opens at 10 am all through the year.
From April to September, Arc de Triomphe closes at 11 pm, and from October to March, it closes at 10.30 pm.
The last entry is always 45 minutes before closing.
Arc de Triomphe is closed on New Year’s Eve (1 Jan), Labor Day (1 May), Bastille Day (14 July), and Christmas (25 December).
On Armistice (11 November) and World War II Victory Day (8 May), the monument is closed in the morning.
The monument only admits a certain number of visitors at a time, and when it reaches its peak capacity, the ticket counters may close early. That’s why it makes better sense to buy Arc de Triomphe tickets in advance.
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How long does the tour take
Most visitors spend an hour or so exploring Arc de Triomphe.
Fifteen to 20 minutes to wait in the ticketing line, 15 minutes to climb the 284 steps (the lift is usually busy), 15 minutes to enjoy the view, and another 10 minutes to climb down.
You can also take an elevator to the mid-level and climb 64 stairs to the top, but the queue for the elevator is pretty long.
If you don’t plan to go up to the rooftop, you can spend 15-20 minutes walking around the base of the Arc de Triomphe and exploring the eternal flame honoring the Unknown Soldier.
Note: If you buy Arc de Triomphe tickets online, you can save 15-20 minutes of standing in the ticketing line.
Who is the Unknown Soldier?
Beneath the Arc de Triomphe rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, representing all unidentified soldiers who died for France in WWI. An eternal flame, added in 1923, is relit each evening at 6.30 pm in a moving tribute to their sacrifice.
Best time to visit Arc de Triomphe

The best time to visit Arc de Triomphe is when it opens at 10 am.
During the early morning, the monument sees minimal foot traffic, allowing you ample time and space to leisurely explore every corner at your own pace.
The next best time to visit is after 6.30 pm because by then, the crowd has left, the flame of the Unknown Soldier lights up, and you can see a fully lit-up Champs Elysées from the rooftop.
As the darkness takes over, you also enjoy the best views of the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, and Louvre from Arc de Triomphe’s observation deck.
Sunset from Arc de Triomphe
If you want to see the sunset from the world’s largest triumphal arch, the best time to visit is between 4.30 and 5.30 pm.
During this period, the wait in ticket lines can last 15-20 minutes.
You can avoid this wait if you purchase Arc de Triomphe tickets much in advance.
Is Arc de Triomphe free?
You can walk around the base and under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe without paying any fee.
When you are standing under the central arch, the monument seems even more massive.
On this free tour, you can read the names of the 660 Generals and observe the grand reliefs on the exterior.
But to go up the Arc de Triomphe and see the fantastic views of Paris, you need to buy the tickets.
Arc de Triomphe free entry
On special days, it is possible to go up Arc de Triomphe without buying a ticket.
Entry to this massive monument is free on the 1st Sunday of January, February, March, November, and December.
Admission to Arc de Triomphe is also free on the Saturdays and Sundays of the ‘European Heritage Days’, which is organized on the 3rd weekend of September.
The Arc de Triomphe also allows free entry to young people under 18 (with valid ID cards).
It is also free for EU citizens who are 18 to 25 years old.
If you don’t qualify for free entry, we recommend you buy your Arc de Triomphe tickets and go up. The view will be worth it.
Free with Paris Passes
For a one-time, flat fee, various discount passes grant free access to top Paris attractions—including the Arc de Triomphe. These passes help you save both money and time with skip-the-line entries at most sites. Recommended passes: Paris Sightseeing Pass or Paris Museum Pass
Is it worth visiting Arc de Triomphe?
Absolutely! Arc de Triomphe symbolizes French pride, detailed with sculptures, inscriptions, and carvings.
It features four prominent sculptural groups at its base: The Triumph of 1810 by Jean-Pierre Cortot, Resistance and Peace by Antoine Étex, and the most famous of all, Departure of the Volunteers of 1792, also known as La Marseillaise, created by François Rude.
You can go inside and explore its pillars, which mention 128 battles and the names of 558 Generals who participated in the war.
Regardless of when you visit this monument, you will enjoy the historical beauty and mesmerizing view of Paris from the top.
Arc de Triomphe—day or night?
If you can afford it (and if your legs can take the climb), we recommend you try experiencing it once during the day and once at night.
However, if you are short of time, visit Arc de Triomphe at night.
The pretty lights shimmering over the entire city are worth climbing all the stairs.
View from Arc de Triomphe at night

At night, the Arc de Triomphe offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Paris.
The city lights, bustling traffic circle below, and the views down the Champs-Élysées make it a perfect spot for night photography.
From the rooftop, the Eiffel Tower (1.8 km/1 mile) feels almost within reach, glittering and twinkling against the night sky.

Looking down the tree-lined Champs-Élysées towards Place de la Concorde and the Louvre is mesmerizing, while other landmarks like the Montparnasse Tower, Notre Dame’s twin towers, and the white Basilica of Sacré-Cœur shine beautifully in the distance.
The Eternal Flame honoring the Unknown Soldier also glows more prominently in the evening.
With fewer crowds at night, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the view and capture incredible photos.
FAQs about Arc de Triomphe
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting this iconic monument.
Do I need tickets to visit Arc de Triomphe?
If you only want to explore the monumental arch and the Unknown Soldier’s flame below, you don’t need to buy tickets. To go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and see stunning views of Paris, you need to buy tickets.
Can I purchase Arc de Triomphe Paris tickets online?
Yes, you can buy Arc de Triomphe tickets online. When you buy them in advance, you save yourself at least 20 minutes of waiting time during peak periods.
Where is the ticket office at Arc de Triomphe?
Arc de Triomphe’s ticket office is under the arch, but you are sure to find long lines at the ticket counter.
We highly recommend you buy your tickets online.
Can I buy same-day Arc de Triomphe tickets?
Yes, you can purchase same-day (or next day’s) Arc de Triomphe tickets. You can do this from the ticket counters at the venue, or if you want to save yourself waiting time, you can buy the tickets online.
What are Arc de Triomphe rooftop tickets?
These are skip-the-line passes that grant you access to the observatory at the top of the monument, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Paris.
Is there something called an Arc de Triomphe lift ticket?
There is nothing called an Arc de Triomphe lift ticket. You can use the lift for any ticket you have.
You can decide to take the lift until half the distance and climb 64 additional steps or climb all 284 steps to the top. Most end up taking the stairs because of the long lines for the elevator.
Is Arc de Triomphe free for students?
It is fair to say that this Parisian monument is free for students under 18 years. European Union citizens and regularized EU residents aged 18 to 25 can also walk in for free.
How to reach Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris.
Address: Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France. Get Directions
You can reach the monument by taking public transport or personal vehicle.
Board Lines 1, 2, and 6 of the Paris Subway and get down at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station, the closest station.
Réseau Express Régional (RER) is a hybrid suburban commuter system serving France, Paris, and its suburbs.
By Train
RER’s Line A trains can help you get to the Charles de Étoile station.
Arc de Triomphe is just 100 meters (325 feet) from Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station.
By Bus
Bus routes 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92, and Balabus can also get you closer to the attraction.
If it is your first time in Paris, we recommend the bus because you get to see the city.
By Car
We don’t recommend arriving at Arc de Triomphe by car because driving in Paris is difficult. You may get caught in traffic, and once you arrive, you may not find a parking spot.
But still, if you prefer driving by car, turn on Google Maps and get started.
There are a few car parking lots to park vehicles.